Climb Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest and arguably most challenging peak on Sunday 20 August 20 and help raise funds for NI’s leading children’s cancer charity. Your effort will help to ensure children, young people and families don’t have to face cancer alone.
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The new Cancer Fund For Children’s Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, a respite centre for children suffering from cancer and their families.[/caption]
Money raised will go towards supporting a range of important Cancer Fund for Children services including Daisy Lodge located nearby in the tranquil and restorative foothills of the Mourne Mountains.
Every year, this free, short-break, therapeutic centre welcomes up to 500 families from across the island of Ireland who are affected by childhood cancer, bringing them together at a time when respite is most often needed, away from distressing hospital routines, tests and chemotherapy. Here, families can recuperate and recharge helping them to cope with the challenges of the cancer journey ahead and meet people who find themselves facing similar situations.
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Bethany Preen (18) from Ballynahinch is urging people to sign up to the Slieve Donard Trek on August 30 to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children which has supported her family.[/caption]
Cancer Fund for Children and its service users are appealing to members of the public to set off in support of Daisy Lodge in a sponsored 5.8 mile trek which will see participants climbing to 2550 feet, enjoying breath-taking views as far as Scrabo Tower, the Wicklow Mountains and Isle of Man while showing solidarity with children, young people and families affected by this devastating illness.
Bethany Preen (18) from Ballynahinch is just one young person who has benefited from Cancer Fund for Children’s services since being diagnosed at 16 with cancer-related illnesses, Aplastic Anaemia and PNH, a disease of the blood characterised by the destruction of red blood cells in the body.
Bethany, a middle child with two sisters, spoke about the restorative setting of Daisy Lodge and the charity’s adjacent log cabin, Narnia. She said: “The whole Shimna Valley Complex is just beautiful. It’s like an oasis with the trees and Mournes in the background. I have enjoyed stays there where I have benefited from peer support and from the charity’s team of Specialists including Gemma O’Toole. I was so glad to be able to talk to her about how I was feeling about my illness.
“This was a big breakthrough for me as I had tried counselling before and was unable to open up, but with Gemma I just felt so relaxed and comfortable. It felt good to release everything. It helped me see I don’t have to face things alone. I’m urging people to sign up to the challenge so more young people can benefit from this type of support.”
Cancer Fund for Children CEO Gillian Creevy said: “With three children, teenagers and young adults diagnosed every week in Northern Ireland we rely on donations and support from the public to make sure families don’t have to face cancer alone.
“Our annual Slieve Donard Trek aims to raise £26k this year. It’s events like these that make sure we can continue our vital work in providing practical, financial and emotional support in the family home, in the community, hospital ward and our Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break facility.
“We want to do more in this area and would encourage people to sign up to climb Slieve Donard so we can make this ambition a reality.”
The Slieve Donard Climb takes place on Sunday 30 August, 2015
from Donard Car Park in Newcastle at 9.30am.
Afterwards, participants can celebrate with a BBQ at Hugh McCann’s Pub in Newcastle.
For more info or to register log onto:
Alternatively, phone 028 9080 5599 or email:
alex@cancerfundforchildren.com
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