Bethany calling for help to take on Donard for Daisy Lodge

29 July 2015

A BALLYNAHINCH teenager is appealing for people to climb Slieve Donard to raise money for a leading cancer charity.

Bethany Courtney (18) is hoping as many as possible with undertake the climb on Sunday, August 30, to help raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children which runs the Daisy Lodge respite facility near Tollymore Park.

The young Ballynahinch girl has benefitted from the charity’s services since being diagnosed at the age of 16 with cancer related illnesses aplastic anaemia and PNH — a disease of the blood characterised by the destruction of red blood cell in the body.

Bethany, a middle child with two sisters, spoke about the restorative setting of Daisy Lodge and the charity’s adjacent log cabin, Narnia.

She said: “The whole Shimna Valley Complex is just beautiful. It’s like an oasis with the trees and Mournes in the background. I have enjoyed stays there where I have benefited from peer support and from the charity’s team of specialists including Gemma O’Toole. I was so glad to be able to talk to her about how I was feeling about my illness.

“This was a big breakthrough for me as I had tried counselling before and was unable to open up, but with Gemma I just felt so relaxed and comfortable. It felt good to release everything. It helped me see I don’t have to face things alone.

“I’m urging people to sign up to the challenge so more young people can benefit from this type of support.”

Every year, the Daisy Lodge short break therapeutic centre welcomes up to 500 families from across the island of Ireland who are affected by childhood cancer, bringing them together at a time when respite is most often needed, away from distressing hospital routines, tests and chemotherapy. Here, families can recuperate and recharge helping them to cope with the challenges of the cancer journey ahead and meet people who find themselves facing similar situations.

Cancer Fund for Children and its service users are appealing to members of the public to set off in support of Daisy Lodge in a sponsored 5.8 mile trek which will see participants climbing to 2550 feet, enjoying breath-taking views as far as Scrabo Tower, the Wicklow Mountains and Isle of Man while showing solidarity with children, young people and families affected by this devastating illness.

The Slieve Donard Climb takes place on Sunday, August 30, from Donard car park in Newcastle at 9.30am. Afterwards, participants can celebrate with a barbecue at Hugh McCann’s pub in Newcastle.

For more info or to register log onto cancerfundforchildren.com. Alternatively, phone 028 9080 5599 or email alex@cancerfundforchildren.com

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