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My story

 

Think of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking and you invariably imagine the home of the world famous Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team, the assembly line for the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and the workplace of some of the most cutting-edge technical brains in the country.

But it’s a great spot to go fishing too…

That’s what 13-year-old Liam Fairhurst will be doing on September 2 when he spends an hour as the first person to fish the facility’s famous semi-circular lake, after McLaren Group Chairman and CEO Ron Dennis set him a special charity challenge.

Liam isn’t an experienced angler. In fact, he has never fished before in his life.  But after a dream visit to the Woking facility in July and meeting Ron Dennis Liam was challenged to fish the lake to add to his fundraising efforts for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent. 

Over the past 20 months, Liam has raised in excess of £250,000 for the charity – a remarkable achievement especially as Liam has been fighting his own battle with cancer for the past three years.

“Liam has one hour to catch as many fish as he can,” explained Ron. “But only he is permitted to handle the rod and only I can count up the number of fish before they are returned to the lake. Having said that, I’ll let him bring an expert angling coach. In return, I have promised Liam £50 for each fish he catches.”

Liam is looking to raise as much money as he can for CLIC Sargent – but he needs your help.

“If people sponsor me just £1 it will help make a difference,” he said. “CLIC Sargent has been there for my family throughout my treatment. I want to give something back so that they can help other families like mine.”

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure.  It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me; CLIC Sargent gets your money faster and, if you are a UK tax payer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you for supporting me and CLIC Sargent

03/09/08 Thanks to my brilliant fishing instructor (Martin Locke ) we were able to complete our challenge and in the process caught 25 carp!!!  Thankyou to everyone at McLarens who came out to watch me and/or added to my ever growing total on this page and to everyone who has donated. With Ron's money we are nearly up to £3K which will make a huge difference to families like mine and this now takes my grand  fundraising total to just over £278K. I'm back in hospital for chemo this week but wanted you all to know how much I enjoyed yesterday and how it took my mind of hospitals THANKYOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!! xxx 

07/09/08 Outta hospital and in time to watch Lewis win the Belgium Grand Prix, well done team MCLAREN!!! I'm feeling a bit icky but am amazed at all the money and lovely messages on this site. Thankyou everyone not only does this raise my spirits but it makes a huge difference to families affected by cancer! x

You are a shining example to us all Liam. Shine on brother! Donation by Ben 03/10/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You're amazing. Congratulations on your Pride of Britain award. You totally deserve it and made me both laugh and cry when you received it! x Donation by Claire 01/10/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Keep up the good work Liam xxxx Donation by Sue & Mark 01/10/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Auntie Helen yorkshire bowel doctor friend. U r an inspiration to us all. Donation by Chris Healey 22/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

i still say a stick of dynamite would have caught you more fish - i know thats cheating!! proud of you as always xx Donation by auntie helen and uncle leigh 17/09/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

You are an inspiration to all young people - well done! Donation by Julian Potter 12/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Liam, good job. Donation by Sidepodcast 10/09/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

awesome catch! Our prayers are with you Liam.May God bless you. Donation by Mark 08/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

A good catch off Ron Dennis. Good effort from all involved for a worthwhile charity. Best of luck for the future. Donation by Maureen (and John) Stott 08/09/08  

£1,250.00 + £352.56 Gift Aid

Well done Liam! Donation by welwyn front 06/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Liam, I hope everything goes well for you Donation by Paddy Lowe 06/09/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Top Man!! Donation by George, Charlie and Isabelle Paget 06/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations - a most productive afternoon's fishing and you managed to handsomely out perform Heikki too ! Donation by Peter Stayner 05/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done Liam, and best wishes Donation by Russell Harvey 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Liam, you are an inspiration to us all Donation by enza russo 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done! Donation by Steve Preston (Pitpass reader) 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Liam and Good Luck Donation by George Napier 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Liam and well done McLaren for allowing this to happen. Good luck with the Chemo. Donation by Denver Giles 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Fantastic......Well done Liam Donation by Jim Morris 05/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Brilliant - well done! Donation by Gareth Orr 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done Liam, I hope you have plenty of chips to go with them, all the best with the Chemo. Donation by phil and sue cook 05/09/08  

£10.00

Congratulations, an inspiration to everyone, I hope all goes well. Donation by Mark Powell 05/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations well done!!! Donation by Dean ibbotson 04/09/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

I used to fish years ago and you caught more in 1 hour than i did in 5 years!! Well done! Donation by Paul Walmsley 04/09/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Congratulations you are doing a wonderful job Donation by John Hall 04/09/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done! What a staggering achievement from a refreshingly motivated young man! Fully deserving of everyones support. Good luck with the Chemo Liam! Donation by Jamie Kelly 04/09/08  

£15.00

You're an absolutely outstanding young man Donation by Barry Ultahan 04/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Congratulations on your positive attitude towards your illness Donation by Alex Tapley 04/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Donation by Ray Watherston 04/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

As a fellow cancer sufferer and Ron Dennis fan I wish you all the best Donation by Nigel Attwood 04/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £3,735.01
  Offline donations: £2,500.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £982.95

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