My mum’s final days were the most challenging of my life but Rachel helped me through it

My mum’s final days were the most challenging of my life but Rachel helped me through it

29 April 2015

STUDENTS and teachers at Down High School are taking part in next Monday’s Belfast marathon to raise funds for a leading cancer charity.

The enthusiastic runners will be pounding the streets around the city to raise money for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland which is helping students Emma and Evie Telford, from Downpatrick, following the death of their mother Lorna last September.

Emma’s form teacher, Mr David Doey, will be running the entire 26.2 mile course, while a number of his fellow teachers and sixth form students will be running 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 and family support worker Rachel Smith works closely with Emma and Evie, visiting them at their home to help them deal with the traumatic loss of their mum who battled cancer for over four years.

Mr Doey, who admits that over a year ago he “couldn’t run a bath” let alone a marathon, has been training hard over the past 16 weeks for next Monday’s event and is delighted with the support he’s received from students, staff and friends.

“The marathon is the main topic of conversation among the staff and all of us taking part hope to raise as much as we can for a very worthwhile charity which is helping two Down High students in particular,” he said.

Mr Doey said with the school’s upper sixth students in their final year, the marathon provides them with an opportunity to do something together for one last time in aid of a very good cause.

He added: “Thirty students and 10 staff are taking part in the marathon and we hope to raise as much as we can. I have been training hard for the 26.2 miles and hopefully it will be bearable if not easy. The main thing is it is all in aid of a very good cause.”

Emma, who is running one of the marathon legs, has thanked Mr Doey and Down High’s sixth form students for thinking about her and sister Evie by raising money for Cancer Focus.

“The charity means a lot to Evie and I, with family support worker Rachel a tower of strength during mum’s illness and after she passed away. Cancer Focus is an incredible charity and the work it does with families whose loved ones are terminally ill and those whose relatives have died from cancer is phenomenal.

“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 sister 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 continued: “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: “Every day is difficult and Evie and I miss mum so much, but the work of Cancer Focus and the family support service is fantastic. The organisation works with families to keep the memory of those who have died alive and the service the charity provides is amazing. When you feel your tomorrows are running out there are people there for you to listen and support and walk with you every step of the way.”

Year eight student Evie said she is delighted Down High staff and pupils have decided to raise money for Cancer Focus and hopes the teachers and runners will be well supported next 

Monday and the weather is kind to them.

She added: “Emma and I get so much from working with Cancer Focus and the money being raised by the marathon runners will ensure the charity continues to help us and many other families. The charity means a lot to Emma and I. We are pleased Cancer Focus will benefit from the efforts of Down High staff and students and the people who are sponsoring them.”

Anyone wishing to support the Down High fundraising effort can do at http://www.justgiving.com/downhighdoesbelfastmarathon.