Round 2 – I need your help…

Exactly one year ago yesterday, beyond all my expectations and with the unwavering support of friends, family, colleagues and the generosity of strangers, I hit the £20k fundraising target I’d set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of my little brother Christopher, who died of cancer at the age of just 14. 

That money raised is being used by the incredible team at CLAN to support teenagers and their families affected by Cancer across the North East of Scotland, a fitting legacy to the bravest boy I ever met.

My relationship with CLAN has continued as an Ambassador for the charity and in recent months, during visits to CLAN House I began to formulate a plan…

On one visit, a family was signing in; a young mum and dad with their toddler and baby. I couldn’t help feel emotional about how this beautiful young family is being impacted by cancer. As I waited in reception during my next visit, a mum and her wee boy were just leaving and heading to nursery, and again I could only empathize with this fellow mum, and marvel at how she continues to get through each day. 

Coinciding with a decided lull in enthusiasm about my imminent 40th birthday, these observations provided a much needed reality check. The fact is, I may not look forward to being 40, I may lament what has gone wrong, what has yet to be achieved and what I could and should have done better; the reality is, I have my health and my children are healthy.

I have missed the Challenge, and while my aging and out-of-shape body may protest, the fact is I can run races, jump from planes, hike, dance and do whatever it takes, while still getting to go home to be outnumbered by my (adorable) children! 

I am launching Christopher’s CLAN Challenge – Round 2, and I’m turning that £20k into £40k, which I aim to achieve by the end of my 40th year – November 2019!

The money raised will once again be donated to CLAN’s Children and Family Services, to support families like mine, and those I’ve observed on those visits to CLAN House - affected by a cancer diagnosis.

I have some bigger and bolder plans that I will be reaching out to you all to support and partake in – watch this space. Again, I encourage you to hold your own events and take on your own challenges too. 

To keep updated with my exploits, head over the Christopher’s CLAN Challenge Facebook  page.

To hold your own event please similarly use this just giving page, set up your own, or send money raised directly CLAN clearly marked “Christopher’s CLAN Challenge”.

My original Challenge: Let me explain why I'm doing this...

Today, 16th March, marks the 20th anniversary of the death of my little brother Christopher at just 14 years old.  Twenty years and so much has happened, but in many ways, it feels like just yesterday.

Christopher was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the summer of 1994 and fought a brave battle for nearly two years.

I wanted to do something positive to commemorate this anniversary and after all this time, I finally feel like I can do this - but I need your help.

So, to mark this 20th anniversary, I pledge to raise £20,000 over the next year – starting today.

The money raised will be donated to CLAN, to specifically support teenagers, their siblings and wider families suffering from or who are affected by cancer – right here in the North East of Scotland.

Twenty years ago, support and services for teenagers fighting cancer and their and wider support group were not readily available. Times have changed and CLAN does a fabulous job, but more can always be done – after all being a teenager is tough enough without facing the challenge of cancer!

Over the next 12 months, I will undertake a series of fundraising initiatives, challenges and adventures, many of them yet to be decided – and nothing is beyond consideration.

I am reaching out to you: family, friends, colleagues, contacts as well as Christopher’s school and childhood friends for your help.

Will you take some time this year to hold an event, have some fun, undertake a challenge or simply donate in memory of a clever, handsome, happy, outgoing and brave, brave boy? You can help those like him fighting this horrible illness today and in the future.

It can literally be anything from a bake sale to a sky dive, fashion show to a raffle, or perhaps you could run a race or climb a mountain – anything helps!

I’d love to create a buzz around this - let me know what you’re doing, send me pictures and I’ll keep you and the North East up to date through the Christopher’s CLAN Challenge Facebook  page where you can also find out what others are doing, how much we’ve raised and more about CLAN.

To hold your own event please similarly use this just giving page, set up your own, or send money raised directly CLAN clearly marked “Christopher’s CLAN Challenge”.