A COUNTY Down mother and her son are urging people to take part in a sponsored walk to help raise funds for the charity that helped them following his cancer diagnosis.
Drumaroad woman Georgina McKee and her family received support from the charity after her little son Eoghan was diagnosed with leukaemia days after his second birthday in 2010.
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Little Eoghan Doyle from Drumaroad is urging locals to sign up to the Winter Woolly Walk at Tollymore Forest Park on February 28 (Photo by Jim Masson).[/caption]
They have come on-board to promote the charity’s Winter Woolly Walk at Tollymore Forest Park on February 28. Georgina explained why the charity’s work is so vital.
She said: “During Eoghan’s cancer journey we enjoyed a therapeutic short break. It was like a sanctuary, a safe haven away from the gruelling routine of hospital stays and treatment. We got chatting to others and gained a lot from meeting families who understood the challenges and fears of nursing a child with cancer. The staff were amazing and looked after us so well. The food was delicious; it was like eating out every night. People don’t realise how much a place like that is needed until it happens to them.”
Little Eoghan added: “Locals should definitely sign up to the Winter Woolly Walk event… it is great fun and a nice family day out. Plus, it is helping to raise money for a great cause.”
Cancer Fund for Children fundraiser and mum to two young boys, Naomi Braithwaite, explained that this year, the charity is hoping to raise £25k by holding the walk at seven special locations across the province.
“We are hoping that 500 families will take part and will be able to raise about £50 each to help us reach our total. £25k could provide a free therapeutic short break at Daisy Lodge for 72 families or 625 one-to-one support sessions with a Cancer Fund for Children Specialist on the hospital wards of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children,” she said.
“I will be taking my family along to the event because it is just a great day out for us parents and the kids. The first 500 people to register will receive a free pair of Winter Woolly Walk gloves. Each walk will take place on February 28 and ranges from three to five miles. There will be plenty of warm refreshments to heat cold hands and fun family activities on the day,” Naomi added.
Locations include The Lagan Towpath in Belfast, Tollymore Forest Park in Newcastle, Lurgan Park, Antrim Castle Gardens, St Columb’s Park in Derry/L’Derry, Castle Coole in Fermanagh and Drum Manor Forest Park in Cookstown.
Registration is from 10am with walks starting at 10.30am except Tollymore which will start at 10am.
For more info and to register log onto:
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