Jillian tackles Donard to thank cancer centre

Jillian tackles Donard to thank cancer centre

1 August 2018

JILLIAN Aulds will pay her special thanks to the Friends of the Cancer Centre charity when she climbs Slieve Donard next month.

The Newcastle woman is doing the 850 metre climb on September 1 to repay the charity for the support and the extra facilities provided to patients such as her husband Ronnie. Jillian is one of hundreds who will take on the Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Slieve Donard Challenge.

She explained she got inspired to do the climb after accompanying Ronnie to the Cancer Centre in Belfast City Hospital for his treatment.

“Ronnie was diagnosed with cancer in September, 2016 and has been attending the Cancer Centre for his treatment,” said Jillian. “I was amazed to see the work that Friends of the Cancer Centre does to support local people affected by cancer.  

“When I was sitting in the Bridgewater suite waiting for Ronnie to have his treatment, I noticed a poster advertising the charity’s upcoming Slieve Donard Challenge. I decided to sign up as a way of saying thank you for the care and support that we are both receiving at the centre.”

It will be the first time that Jillian has scaled Donard and she will be joined by grandsons Ethan and Charlie on the walk.

Her initial aim was to raise £1,000, but Jillian already has nearly £6,000 raised through her charity crowdfunding site.

Friends of the Cancer Centre helps cancer patients and their families from all over Northern Ireland.

The charity funds 31 additional members of staff, vital medical equipment and supporting ground breaking cancer research, as well as providing thousands of free cups of tea and coffee to patients waiting on treatment.

Registration for the event is £10 per person and each participant is asked to raise a minimum of £50 for the charity.  

To sign-up for Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Slieve Donard Challenge, register online at www.friendsofthecancercentre.com or call the team on 028 9069 9393. 

As Jillian prepares for her climb, scaling Slieve Donard was an emotional moment last week for the Pennant family from Buckinghamshire.

Allie and Don Pennant and their children — Jemima, Jack, Maisie and Leo — climbed the mountain to mark the 15th anniversary of the loss of baby son Ned, who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 

Ned was only eight months old when he died without warning on July 12, 2003.

The family planned to do the Four Highest Peaks challenge in the UK to raise £15,000 for the charity Child Bereavement UK. They also climbed Snowden in Wales, Ben Nevis in Scotland, and Scafell Pike in Yorkshire.

Ned’s mother Allie said: “Nothing can prepare you for the devastation for the devastation a loss like this can cause.

“With strong family support, close friends and a tight community, we made it through the days that followed, which turned into weeks and months. And now years.”

If you would like to support the Pennant’s charity cause, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NedPennant.