Down High marathon run raises thousands for charity

Down High marathon run raises thousands for charity

24 June 2015

STUDENTS and teachers at Down High School have raised £3,300 for one of the Province’s leading cancer charities.

They took part in this year’s Belfast marathon to raise funds for Cancer Focus with their collective efforts raising a magnificent sum for an organisation which is helping students Emma and Evie Telford following the death of their mother Lorna last September.

Emma’s form teacher, David Doey, ran the entire 26.2 mile course, while ten of his fellow teachers and 30 sixth form students ran various legs of the marathon.

Mr Doey and his form class decided to take part in the marathon to raise funds for Cancer Focus whose family support branch has benefited the Telford sisters greatly since their mum passed away.

The girls attend the charity’s monthly family night at its Belfast headquarters with family support worker Rachel Smith working with Emma and Evie to help them deal with the traumatic loss of their mum who battled cancer for over four years.

Mr Doey, who is delighted with the support he’s received from students, staff and friends and the many people who put their hands in their pockets to raise cash for a “very worthy cause,” said he cannot thank them enough.

He continued: “A big thanks to all staff and pupils who took part in the marathon relay and a  special well done to year 13 pupil, Chloe Stewart, who decided to run the whole marathon after completing her first leg.

“The staff and pupils were magnificent in the amount of money they raised, with the Down High staffroom committee organising a staff barbecue to help with a final push of fundraising. Having set an initial target of £500, we were completely blown away to raise over £3,300.”

Emma, who ran one of the marathon legs and has just completed her A-levels, thanked Mr Doey and Down High teachers and students for their “fantastic support” for Cancer Focus.

She said the charity means a lot to her and sister Evie, explaining the organisation does incredible work with families whose loved ones are terminally ill and those whose relatives have died from cancer.

“Cancer Focus staff are unsung heroes whose work with families is not just important, but incredibly comforting for loved ones at what is without doubt one of the most traumatic and distressing times of their lives,” said Emma.

The Down High student said her mum’s legacy lives on for her and Evie through a book Lorna wrote with the help of Rachel and is something the pair will treasure for the rest of their lives.

Emma added: “The Cancer Focus writing for the future project is something very special for Evie and I. We have a book specially written for us by our mum and it keeps her thoughts and hopes close to us at all times. My mum’s final days at the Marie Curie Hospice were the most challenging seven weeks of my life but I got through this terribly difficult period with the help of Rachel who helped prepare a plan how to cope with my mum’s passing.”

Emma added: “Evie and I miss mum so much. Every day is incredibly hard but we are thrilled so much money has 

been raised to enable Cancer Focus to help other families and young children struggling to cope with the loss of a parent. There can be no greater loss for a child than to lose your mum, but the charity does fantastic work and provides much-needed support.”

Year eight student Evie also thanked Mr Doey, his colleagues and Down High students for raising so much money for Cancer Focus. She said the money will boost the support network the charity provides for children who have lost parents to cancer.

She added: “Emma and I have benefited from the charity’s help and support and the money raised by our school will be put to excellent use, helping other children and families in need at what is without doubt the most distressing and upsetting time of your life. Unless you have lost your mum at a young age, you have no idea what it is like.”