Hello.

At the end of last year, courtesy of Facebook, I managed to reacquaint myself with an old flat-mate from my medical school days. I had not heard from Andy McKerracher in the twenty-three years since we shared a flat together in Edinburgh, but the joy of being back in touch again was tempered by the news that Andy's eleven year old daughter, Katie, had died earlier that year from a rare brain tumour.

Diffuse Pontine Glioma is an inevitably fatal condition which is diagnosed in approximately thirty-five children aged between five and ten years old in the UK each year. Andy and his wife, Ann, established the Katie McKerracher Trust (www.katiemckerrachertrust.co.uk) in order to raise funds to provide support for patients, and their parents, suffering from this terrible disease.

One of the many fundraising events organised this year is Katie's Hebridean Cycle Challenge and my son, Callum, and I have decided to participate. The event consists of a five day cycle ride, involving more than a hundred and twenty cyclists, around the North & South islands of Uist - Katie's favourite holiday destination. 

We would be enormously grateful if you would provide us with any help you can in order to support this worthy cause.

"Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity."

So please dig deep and donate now.

In anticipation... Thank You.

Nev & Cal June 2010