Two charity staff members are heading to the far east to raise money for a cancer support organisation.
The employees at CLAN Cancer Support, which is based on Westburn Road, Aberdeen, along with other CLAN supporters, have been training to take part in the gruelling Great Wall of China trek from 11-19 October, to raise money to help the charity’s work supporting people affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Children and families services manager Tina O’Boyle supports children, young people and their families when they are faced with the devastating diagnosis. Tina and her team help young people build resilience and develop good coping strategies, as well as working with the whole family to encourage open discussion.
Aware that CLAN receives no statutory funding and relies entirely upon the support of the community and local businesses, Tina decided to take part in her first ever fundraising challenge.
Tina’s colleague, CLAN facilities administrator Sarah was a client of CLAN eight years ago, when her mother, Diane, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer. Sarah and her brother were supported by CLAN, and Sarah was determined to raise money for CLAN to help other families faced with cancer. Sarah will be joined by her mother on the challenge. which will see the ladies walk 10,000 uneven steps along the 300-year-old winding pathway.
Tina and Sarah have both organised several fundraising activities and have raised over £8,000 between them so far.
Tina said: “I get the chance to see first-hand the fabulous work that is done throughout CLAN in Aberdeen and across north-east Scotland. CLAN makes a huge difference to the children and families we support, so I am delighted to be playing a part in helping the important work continue.
Sarah added: “As well as being the place I enjoy working, CLAN is very close to my heart. Our whole family has enjoyed the different fundraising events we have organised and we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends who know what a difference CLAN made to us. We have been training well and we are looking forward to conquering the 1000 steps at Mutianyu and ascending the ‘Heavenly Ladder’.”
CLAN Chief Executive, Dr Colette Backwell commented: “We are immensely proud of Tina and Sarah and the China trek team, and to every single individual who raises funds to allow CLAN to continue to support those affected by cancer.
“The CLAN team is highly dedicated and the fact that Tina and Sarah have taken so much time over the last year both in training and organising fundraising events is far beyond the call of duty.
“More and more people are being diagnosed with cancer every day, but importantly cancer survival in the UK has doubled in the last 40 years. This means that there is an increased need for the services we offer.
“Every day staff members and volunteers see the difference CLAN makes to the lives of local people and so we are proud that members of our team are giving their free time to help this work to continue.
“We will all be keeping an eye on their progress during the walk and thank them both for their dedication.”
If you would like to support Tina or Sarah, visit their fundraising pages below.
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tina-o-boyle1
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarahdianechinachallenge
