I am hoping for your support as I take part in what I hope will be an exciting and worthwhile venture in September 2017 for Marie Curie Cancer Support.

What am I planning?

I hope to do a week long trek through the Smoky Mountains, between 17 and 23 September 2017. The trip has been organised by Marie Curie Cancer Support and will involve a group of people from Northern Ireland, heading to Tennessee in the United States, to trek together to raise funds for Marie Curie.

The trek involves hiking 34 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains over 4 days, camping out along the way, and including walking sections of the famous Appalachian Trail and other iconic Smokies trails. Who knows, I may even encounter some of the famous brown bears!

Why am I doing this?

My mum, Doris, died of oesophageal cancer in December 2006. In many ways I can’t believe it has been almost ten years. As I approach the tenth anniversary, I have been reflecting on what I remember about her, what I miss about her and what I’m thankful for. As you can imagine, many of my memories are happy, funny and heart-warming.  However, when I think about the time near the end of her life, I am greatly comforted by the specialist cancer care that she received. 

Many of you who read this will have been affected by cancer, whether personally or within your family or circle of friends. Cancer care is the sort of thing that you hope you will never need but you’re so glad that this special level of care, treatment and support is there for those who do. This is why I want to help. I want to mark this anniversary by doing something special, to remember my mum and, also, to raise money for Marie Curie in their amazing work helping other people with cancer, and their families.

How you can help

I need the support of everyone I know to be able to raise enough support to participate in the trek. To do the trip Marie Curie asks each walker to raise £4,000. 

I am not a fundraiser but I am excited and motivated to think creatively about ways that I can work hard to make this happen. I am gathering fundraising ideas to hopefully begin to generate some funds and I would be grateful for your help. If you were able to give a donation it would be a massive help and if you had any ideas or spare time to be able to help plan or host an event on my behalf, I would greatly appreciate it. 

Keeping you updated

I hope to use this page to keep you all updated of my fundraising plans and efforts. Thanks in advance for your support.