Our Fundraising Journey so far......

I was asked about a month ago to create a Fundraiser's story.  Finally, today I set aside time to write everything down in one place (just noticed the time and I spent way too long!)  I'm often asked how much we've raised over the years and I really had no idea of the total.  I might remember what we raised last year, or what we had raised for a specific event.  I hadn't actually put down on one file everything Isla has inspired us and others to raise money for.  I've attempted to put it all together.  I've also included team totals from recent years to try to put figures to questions that I am asked.

I remember vividly April 2009.  It was when we found out our baby daughter had Neuroblastoma.  Life stands still and then it changes completely, forever.  We quickly adapted to taking life one day at a time.  Changes over 24 hours for children with cancer can be so drastic, you never know if one day could be the last.

Isla was diagnosed at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and within 10 days she was taken by Ambulance to Glasgow’s Yorkhill hospital critically ill.  Luckily, she was given the best care and 13 weeks later Isla was transferred back to Aberdeen and closer to home.  Isla endured treatment for almost 2 years.  During that time we received support from charities offering holidays or help with travelling expenses.  Clic Sargent were able to offer us a few cheque's towards travelling expenses and a much needed family holiday to Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick.   We received holidays from Calum’s Cabin and Christian Lewis Trust (now known as Kids Cancer Charity).  Ross worked in the Royal Air Force and SSAFA gave support to him at work and support to us all when home. 

When it was discovered that Isla still had cancer following surgery to remove her tumour at the beginning of 2010 and Isla would need more treatment, I felt helpless and wanted to do something…anything.   I decided to shave off the hair on my head for Cancer Research UK, raising over £4,700.  Ross and his friends joined in too with their fundraising having a full body wax, raising about £1,000 for the Neuroblastoma Society.  We had caught a ‘bug’ for fundraising and my next challenge was to do a tandem Sky Dive for Sparks for Neuroblastoma Research raising over £2,000.

While the fundraising for research had begun, we also started fundraising for Isla.  Initially we wanted a special family holiday.  Unfortunately Isla was too young to be granted a wish holiday, but we knew time was precious and we were fearful that Isla’s Neuroblastoma would recur and we wouldn’t have the chance.  All that time in hospital meant time apart from Isla’s big sisters Becky and Cerys, which was incredibly difficult.  We needed a special family holiday to remember and cherish.  I started fundraising for our holiday.  Luckily Logan’s Fund granted us £3000 towards it, and many others came forward with donations and fundraising.  We were overwhelmed with the support for our holiday.  We raised over £8000 due to the kindness of family, friends and strangers and had a wonderful holiday to Disneyland Paris and a short break to London.

Once Isla’s hospital treatment was complete we started a fundraising appeal in Isla’s name so if her cancer returned, we could have the option of paying for treatment abroad for her.  We made the decision that if Isla did not need treatment then we would give the money to Neuroblastoma charities and research. Fundraising was stepped up a gear as we created events and encouraged others to fundraise/support us.   Isla’s final appeal total was £23,296.87.  We have designated £15,000 of this money to go to Neuroblastoma research, and we are still looking for the right research project.  The remaining £8,296.87 has been gifted to Logan’s Fund to help with Logan’s Sunny Days.

When Ross and I had a wedding reception in 2010, we requested no gifts, and instead collected money for Yorkhill (Schiehallion Ward), The Archie Foundation (money split between parent accommodation and Moray Friends of Archie) and SSAFA.  We also gave guests a card detailing a donation for Neuroblastoma in their name instead of a wedding favour.  We raised almost £2500.

When Isla was declared in remission in 2011 we held a disco fundraising for Malcolm Sargent House, Calum’s Cabin and Christian Lewis Trust who had all provided holidays for us during and after Isla’s treatment.  We raised £360 and split the money between them.

In 2012, we were looking for another fundraising idea and discovered The Speyside Kiltwalk.  We signed up a couple of weeks before the event and I think we managed to raise £250.  We got a lot out of doing the first Kiltwalk and we were so pleased to give to the nominated charities (Clic Sargent being one). 

We were aware that if you had teams of over 6 people doing a Kiltwalk you could nominate a charity and 50% of your fundraising would go to that charity, while the other 50% would go to Kiltwalk’s partner charities.  We knew straight after doing the Kiltwalk that we’d be doing it again and that we would do it for Logan’s Fund.  We had always wanted to give back to the charity that helped us with our special holiday, to honour Logan’s legacy and show support to his very special parents, who continue to help others, which cannot be easy.  2013 saw us create a team for Logan’s Fund alongside the chairperson Cameron Mackintosh.  Our personal fundraising Kiltwalk total for 2013 was £1,615.10, while the team total was around £14000 with Logan’s Fund receiving around £7000.  2013 also seen us become Bucketeers for Clic Sargent, raising £347.60.

Our love affair with the Kiltwalk continued in 2014 and we raised £1,247.00, with a team total of about £20,000 (£10,850 to Logan’s Fund). The Kiltwalk had become incredibly important to us, a community of like-minded people who we kept meeting and raising money in similar circumstances to our own.  In 2015 I had decided to do a Special Kiltwalk; a Kilt Trek.  I signed up to climb Kilimanjaro in October 2015, and our fundraising had to step up a gear in order to raise enough money.  Unfortunately after signing up my mother was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer.  She encouraged me to go ahead with my trek and I had her blessing.  2015 got off to a great start.  We were honoured as a family to receive ‘The Karen McMurrich Outstanding Contribution’ award at the annual Kiltwalk Burns Supper.  Unfortunately the Kiltwalk were having their own troubles and events were cancelled after the Aberdeen Kiltwalk in June, including the trek to Kilimanjaro and the Speyside Kiltwalk.

We had walked at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen through the Kiltwalk in 2015 and we knew many people, like ourselves had signed up to do all the events that year.  Some of us got our heads together and managed to create The Walk-Speyside.  I just didn’t want to see that walk taken away from all the people who loved it as much as us.  I also managed to arrange an alternative trek for Kilimanjaro (with my mum being unwell I wanted to be in the country) and walked the West Highland Way.  Our fundraising total for 2015 for Logan’s Fund was £3881.25, with a team total of  almost £20,000 from the 2015 Kiltwalks. 

In 2015, we had the opportunity to be involved in a ‘Surprise Surprise’ for Caroline Spiers, the mother of Calum Spiers of Calum’s Cabin.  We were delighted to take part and let everyone know just how special Caroline is, of how all parents who have lost a child to cancer and still try to help others are.  We were filmed on the sixth anniversary of Isla’s ambulance transfer to Glasgow, and it helped us to look back at how far we had come.

After 6 years of fundraising we decided we would take a break, to focus on spending time together as a family and to rest.  My mum passed away in November 2015.  My elder daughters move away in summer to begin college and university.  We just needed some time for family.  We managed to go back to Disneyland Paris to celebrate Isla being 5 years off treatment – a milestone for Neuroblastoma. 

However, we couldn’t resist taking part in the Clan walk at Balmoral in April and raised £105.  Clan were a great support during Isla’s treatment and I introduced my dad to them in January and he has found them to be a great help in coming to terms with the loss of my mum.

Even though we took a break from actively fundraising we give a monthly donation to Calum’s Cabin and helped by being supporters at their Pit Stop at the Glasgow Kiltwalk this year.  We give an annual donation to The Archie Foundation in lieu of Christmas cards for families who have to spend Christmas in hospital, just like we did in 2009; we’ve donated £300 so far.

Because of Isla, we have tried to raise awareness and money for Neuroblastoma and childhood cancers.  Emotionally we get a lot out of giving back, or giving to others who might be in a similar position to the one we were in.  I say it all the time, but I wake up grateful every single day to still have Isla with us and I can never repay the universe for her still being with us today.  Our fundraising total so far is around £50,000, and if you include the team totals for the Kiltwalk's for 2013, 2014 and 2015 then it is almost £100,000.  

So, what’s next?  Speyside Kiltwalk on 14^th August perhaps? ;-)

Charity - a personal experience of the good and the bad.

I've been pondering what to write.  I know the subject I've been wanting to write about, but I really don't know what I want to say.

As most of you reading this are aware, our youngest daughter Isla was diagnosed with a cancer called Neuroblastoma in April 2009 at just 5 months old.  The rest of 2009 was given to taking care of Isla the best we could, taking each day at a time and keeping hope in our hearts.  At the beginning of 2010, we were told that Isla's cancer hadn't responded as well to treatment as they had hoped.  I got the urge to do something.  Her fate was out of our control.  On a whim I decided to shave off my hair to raise money for Cancer Research UK.  The previous month Isla had been given one of their 'Little Star' awards.  The charity is quite high profile, and the first that sprang to mind.

We were overwhelmed with the support we received.  We reached our fundraising target in 24 hours.  People wanted to give because they wanted to show support for us and what we were going through.  We were extremely touched.  As soon as I shaved off my hair, I signed up to do a Skydive and with some more looking into it picked 'Sparks' charity and their Neuroblastoma appeal which funds research into treatment.  Ross also decided to do a whole body wax for the Neuroblastoma Society.

That was the beginning for us and our involvement in fundraising.  That year we were also approached by people suggesting we open an appeal for Isla to fund treatment should she ever need treatment that couldn't be offered in the UK.  We discussed opening an appeal for a long time, we were never entirely convinced it was the right thing to do, but it felt like having a safety net for Isla and options for us should she ever relapse.  Isla's appeal opened at the end of 2010.  One of the benefits of her appeal, was we would have a say in what happened to the money in Isla's appeal should she never need it, and we were keen that any money was donated to research into Neuroblastoma.  That same year, we were also told of how big charities like Cancer Research actually donate very little to research into children's cancer, but most of their advertising uses children in the hope of generating donations, that the big wigs at the top of these big charities receive very large wages.

In October 2010, we also had a family ceremony, like a proper wedding on our first wedding anniversary.  Again, we didn't want gifts, but took the opportunity to have a collection for 3 charities, Yorkhill, Archie and SSAFA.  When Isla was declared in remission, we held a fundraising family disco for Malcolm Sargent House, Calum's Cabin and the Christian Lewis Trust, who all provided us with holidays near the end of Isla's treatment.

We stopped actively fundraising for Isla's appeal in 2012, As well as it being very difficult to fundraise, and to fundraise for your own child, we were also unhappy with the actions of the lady who ran the charity.  We had been made aware of some things she had done to people, and we felt we couldn't carry on.  In over two years, with the help and support of a lot of friends we managed to raise about £20,000, and we will be eternally grateful to all who supported us in anyway.  We were left feeling emotionally drained from the fundraising, and it was often difficult to feel positive when others would let you down.  Worse than feeling drained, was the feeling that the charity we had supported for the benefit of very sick children was being mismanaged by someone with serious character flaws.  It is difficult to get your head around someone who lost their own child, using that situation to take advantage of others, but it appears that is what she did.

This didn't put us off fundraising, and when we heard about the first Speyside Kiltwalk we jumped at the chance to fundraise again.  We were looking at organising our own event that summer, but it looked like it would take a lot of planning, and we just didn't know if we were emotionally ready for the challenge so soon after the previous few years.  An organised event like that allowed us to just do something that was being organised by others.  After our fist Kiltwalk, we were hooked.  We were also amazed at how well planned and organised the event was.  We didn't expect the regular pit stops and the water and snacks on offer to keep you going.  We thought that really did go above and beyond, but it was our first experience of this type of event and we didn't know what to expect.  Personally we got a lot out of that first walk; a challenge that focussed our thoughts on children in Scotland who need help.  Having witnessed first hand Intensive Care and a children's Oncology ward, we know the battle and the horrors some young lives face, by walking 26 miles and putting up with some discomfort is nothing compared to what we have witnessed.

Our love of Kiltwalk began.  We decided we didn't need to go through the blood, sweat and tears of organising our own event.  We could take part and give back to our local charity 'Logan's Fund'.  We thought it was a brilliant concept to have a team of 5 and to nominate your own charity to receive 50% of the funds you raise through the Kiltwalk, similar to having our own event but without the stress involved.  The remaining 50% of the funds you raise was to be split between the nominated Kiltwalk charities.  Fundraising for a local charity made sense to us after our experiences, and for people we knew, and a charity that had helped us was the perfect answer.

In 2013, we decided to take part in 3 Kiltwalk's.  After we completed the first in Glasgow, we were still overwhelmed with what a brilliant concept it was, how well run it was and overwhelmed with the provisions too.  I was surprised when I viewed the Kiltwalk Facebook page the next day to see people complaining about lack of water/snacks and the suggestion of different colour t shirt, as people who walked 26 miles and found it tough were not happy seeing people looking fresh at the end only to discover they hadn't walked as far as them.  For me, I don't care the distance people walk, or their reasons for walking different distances.  It really is the taking part that deserves to be rewarded.

I find my tolerance for people who like to complain is much lower than before Isla's diagnosis and treatment.  I also note that feedback, which is negative is often acted upon in the hope of preventing more complaints.  From what I've observed, people will just look for something else to complain about.  I wonder about the people who complain.  Have they watched their own and other children/loved ones close to them suffer?  I have a motto I try to live by and that is 'don't sweat the small stuff'.  If it's not worth complaining about, then don't.  I am not a complainer.  I've worked in shops and restaurants and been the brunt of peoples complaining, most times unjust, but not always.  It would take a lot for me to complain.  Usually I view the positives and try to remind myself to let people know when they've been doing a great job.  Too often peoples good work goes unrewarded.  Mind you, I am quite a sensitive soul!  I know I'm not the only sensitive soul, and I hate to see the hard work done by some torn down.  I also wake up every morning feeling lucky that Isla is still with us, every single morning, she is my first thought.  Being one of the lucky ones in life, what do I have to complain about?

For me, the Kiltwalk has been a very positive experience, we get a lot out of it emotionally - connecting with others who feel the same way as us, or who have similar stories to tell.  For Logan's Fund, the benefit has been huge, there is a sense of a team working to do good for a situation that shouldn't exist.  We can help the put smiles on faces where there could be only worry.  Logan's  Fund has grown, and is hoping to purchase a caravan to offer respite holidays in Lossiemouth for families who really do need a break away from the crap they face.  Helping one family forget about their stresses for one week is a huge thing, I know.  Luckily we experienced that when we had our holiday to Calum's Cabin.  I can't describe exactly what Bute now means to me, but it will always have a piece of my heart.

Recently, the Kiltwalk organisation has had some negative press, partner charities pulling out.  Questions over the cost of running the events.  Due to the press picking up on the stories, there has been further speculation about how the Kiltwalk is run, people in the organisation have lost their jobs.  People who have worked hard, thought they were making the right decisions.  I don't know the ins and outs of what has gone on in the charity, and that is why I haven't wanted to comment before.  I really feel for the people who have worked hard.  The sociological side of me will always look to get all the facts before making a judgement, it's just how I am.  I don't jump on a bandwagon.  What I do know is the events are well run, and local charities see the benefit as well as large charities.  This surely is only a good thing?  I do not know if there are real problems within the charity, if it is badly run?  Previous experience is making me cautious before rushing to their defence.  I do know that in any organisation, not everyone will be happy with decisions made.  As a nation, we are too quick to judge and complain, and not focus on the good.  Maybe the media is partly to blame for this?  Always reporting on the negative and hardly focussing on the good stuff.

This year, I have set myself a challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro with the Kiltwalk as well as taking part in their walks.  I have to fundraise £4,200.  Half of that is the cost of the trip.  The rest will go back to Logan's Fund.  A step closer to their own caravan.  I am committed to trying to fund as much of the cost of the trip as possible, selling things, paying my own way, organising fundraising events.  I know how much of a commitment the fundraising is, I've done it before.  The knock backs or lack of support can sometimes be tough, but experience has taught me to be grateful for ever little bit of support we receive.  I've had the benefit of a break from organising events, so feel emotionally ready for it again. I know when the year is out, I'll be looking to scale back on our fundraising again, maybe a break or maybe only one Kiltwalk a year?  I will continue to try to repay the Universe for not taking Isla from us.   I will continue to wake up every morning feeling lucky.

The Kiltwalk Burns Supper and Awards Night

I'm writing this just two days after the Awards ceremony and I'm still a little overwhelmed.  It is still unbelievable to me that we won an award.  We meaning our family - Becky, Cerys, Isla, Ross and myself.
To have been nominated was a shock and an honour, there was no way I thought we could possibly win it.  The whole night for me was surreal, surreal in a lovely way.
We arrived at the Burns Supper a tad rushed and stressed. The journey had been much longer than planned and we checked into our hotel at 7pm, when the event had started.  I still needed to get ready.  We must have looked some sight standing in reception covered in snow, and  little worked up.  There were quite a few people standing in their kilts and dresses, probably headed the same way as us.
We left to head to Glasgow at about 1.30pm, as soon as I'd got home from work.  We were unfortunate that when we hit Aberdeen we were stuck behind a wide load meaning that it took 40 minutes to get through Aberdeen, Dundee was tricky too as we hit Friday rush hour, another 40 minutes to get through.  Perth to Stirling was an okay part of the journey.  But, once we hit Stirling, it was very slow!   Stirling to Glasgow was mostly spent driving between 1st and 2nd gear.  The delays in Aberdeen and Dundee meant we got into that area at the wrong time.  The snow was falling quite heavily.  The lovely invention of sat nav sent me off at the wrong junction once we were in Glasgow, and then sent us back onto the motorway.  I was wishing at this point I knew my way around Glasgow.  The lovely sat nav even sent us on a wee detour to get to our car park.  Glasgow roads were chaos with the snow, cars couldn't make it up hills.  I did turn the air blue in the car.  Sorry Mum!
We gabbed our things from the car and ran to the hotel, managing to get covered in snow.  Thank goodness our outfits were in suit carriers.  Once checked in I grabbed the quickest shower, applied my make up and threw on my clothes.  I didn't get a chance to sort my hair.  Just 25 minutes after checking in off into the lift we went, which seemed to take an age to come.  It stopped at the next floor to us and another 4 people tried to get in, one gent with a painting.  This meant the lift was too heavy and wouldn't move.  The last 2 people to get in, stepped back out, but the lift still refused to move.  At this point, I couldn't stand and wait any longer, I think those people were heading to the Burns Supper too, and they must have thought I was crazy, I was out of the lift, running towards the stairs.  I ran down the stairs, followed by Ross, out the hotel and down the road to the junction.  When I turned Ross wasn't behind me.  I was thinking 'oh no, he's fallen and I've been running on'.  But he appeared, complaining about his laces.  The run was back on down the street to the Radisson.  Lots of people were stood around, relaxed chatting, while I was still concerned about being late.  After grabbing a glass of fizz and getting rid of my jacket, I discovered that there was lots of people late because of the snow and travel disruption, so the event was delayed until 8pm.  Phew!  I was still shaking and managed to spill some fizz down my face and onto my dress.
 I was just thinking that I need to calm down and get myself together, when I was approached by the lovely Leah Forbes.  She told me she had a gift for me and handed me a small box.  She had remembered how I'd admired her necklace and pendant at Dundee, and got one for me.  From being stressed at being late, I was overwhelmed at receiving this beautiful gift from a fellow Kiltwalker.
Luckily I managed to drink my fizz and start to relax and socialise.  It didn't seem long and we were being piped into the reception room, I was surprised at the sheer size of the event. Glass of wine poured and the banter at the table started.  There was welcome speeches, a game and a theatrical address to the haggis, followed by a delicious meal.  It all seemed to be going very quickly - time for the awards.  Firstly, the people who had taken part in all 5 events went up to receive their awards, we had quite a few from our table alone.  Reading the programme, I realised our category was up next.  I started to get a little nervous, despite having thought up until that point there was no way we would win.
Then I heard them announce 'The Simpsons'!  I thought the drink must have gone to my head, Ross was getting up, I got up and followed to the floor, the tears were falling.  Once on the floor I realised they were playing the 'Simpsons' theme tune.  That helped to break the ice, while I posed for  photo, all the while thinking 'oh no' I'm crying.  The lovely gentleman from 'Field and Lawn marquees' presented us with our award (now I think it was the same guy that was in the lift earlier).  From then on, the night was dreamlike, surreal.  We were both so overwhelmed.  Ross and I both tried sending the girls texts to let them know, but the mobile reception wasn't great.

Then, it was onto the next category - for Outstanding Physical Effort - Junior.  Logan's Tartan Turtle Army were lucky again when Holly Myrvang Brown was announced as the winner.  At just 6 years old Holy wasn't there, but her mum Eli went up to receive her award.  Holly was born the same week as Isla, and Holly walked at every event this year.  The award for Outstanding Physical Effort - Adult went to John Grigor.  John was once a 40-a-day smoker, but this year went onto complete all five walks, as well as the walk in New York and the Kilt trek to Machu Picchu.
I don't think there was a dry eye in the house at the next award for Kiltwalk Inspiration, Gareth Cook walked Speyside last year for SANDS in memory of his son who passed away just 6 days before his due date.  Gareth stepped in for his wife who had broken her ankle.  Gareth was one of the last to finish at Speyside, soaked in blood due to severe psoriasis causing his skin to blister and bleed.  Scott Bain won volunteer of the year - Scott is the first and last person to stop working at each event.  The Unsung Hero Award went to the Chivas Team, for their enormous support at every Kiltwalk event. Team members Alan and Tudge are regular Kiltwalker's and always smiling away.
The next category was Fundraiser of the Year, our very own Jock McKay was up for an award.  Jock is an all round great guy, always smiling.  He was inspired to join the Kiltwalk because of his stepson Kai who suffers from Hypo-Plastic Left heart Syndrome, but he joined our team in 2013 to walk in Glasgow and again in 2014 walking at all events, and even walking an extra event to support Alan Price who completed Speyside a few weeks prior to the actual event as he was away on holiday.  We are tremendously honoured that Jock walked with us for two years and in complete understanding at his choice of walking for Yorkhill this year.  We still see him as part of our team!  Unfortunately Jock didn't win the category, but 2 out of 3 aint bad (!) for a small charity from Speyside!  The winners of the category was Leah Forbes and Team Aine - worthy winners.  Leah's daughter Aine spent a lot of time in Edinburgh Sick Kids hospital, and Leah wanted to give something back.  With the support of her team, they raised an incredible amount, but more importantly embody the spirit of a team.  Leah also introduced the idea of collecting for local foodbank's at each Kiltwalk, an initiative I hope carries on.  Team of the Year went to Team Ailsa, some people might be aware of little Ailsa and the drive to get more donors on the Bone Marrow register, after she needed one to treat her Aplastic Anaemia,
After a photo of all the award winners, I popped out of the room to get a breather.  It wasn't really a breather, it ended up being a chat to other fellow Kiltwalkers.  Then it was time for dancing with our friends.  The Awards night was over so quickly.  Luckily we got a chance to chat some more in the hotel bar, before hitting the hay sometime after 5am.

We are all still overwhelmed and incredibly honoured to have received an award.  The Kiltwalk has become so important to us, because of the great work that it does for Scottish children, but also for connecting us with so many people who also want to help children.  We have listened to so many stories of children and families suffering, and really every single person who takes part in an event is doing something special.  Well done every single one of you.

See you at Glasgow on the 12th of April?!!

Photographs courtesy of Shaun Ward Photography.

Next Year's Challenge

Prior to the Speyside Kiltwalk, I signed up for my next big challenge.
Over the past year I'd spoken to various people about their experience and their fundraising efforts.  While contemplating a big challenge, I thought I would do it when the time was right.  Checking the dates of various overseas Kilttrek's next year, I noticed one that might fit in with school holidays.  That fact alone was enough to seal the deal and I signed up to climb Kilimanjaro next year with the Kiltwalk.
We've done quite a bit of fundraising since December 2009.  When it was discovered that Isla still had cancer following surgery to remove her tumour, I decided to shave of all my hair for Cancer Research UK, raising over £4700.  Ross and friends decided to join in with hair removal (body) raising money for the Neuroblastoma Society, raising about £1000.  Once Isla’s treatment was complete, I fundraised to do a sky dive for Sparks fund into Neuroblastoma research raising over £2000.  When Ross and I were married, we requested no gifts, and instead collected money for Yorkhill (Schiehallion Ward), Archie (parent accommodation and Moray Friends of Archie) and SAAFA, raising almost £2,400.  We also gave guests a card detailing a donation that had been made to FAN in their name instead of a wedding favour.

   

When Isla was declared in remission we held a disco fundraising for Malcolm Sargent House, Calum’s Cabin and Christian Lewis Trust (now called Kids Cancer Charity) who had all provided holidays for us during and after Isla’s treatment to spend quality time together as a family, raising £360.  We are so grateful to the support we received from charities, and want other families to receive the same support, so we like to give back and raise awareness.

As well as this fundraising, Isla also had her own appeal, raising money should she ever relapse and need treatment abroad.  Almost £23,000 has been raised in Isla's appeal.  We made the decision that if Isla reaches the 'All Clear' in January 2016 this money will be given to Neuroblastoma research.

With all this money and events, we've had our fair share of fundraising, experiencing the good and the bad.  Actively fundraising for your own child's appeal was tough mentally, people will let you down, but also the kindness and generosity of others will astound you.  Fundraising alone can be tough, but also dealing with your child undergoing treatment and the anxiety associated with that can make you a touch more sensitive!  When we stopped fundraising for Isla's appeal, we wanted to step back a bit emotionally.  Then the Kiltwalk appeared in our lives! 

Thankfully the emotion experienced with the Kiltwalk has been a positive one, and hasn't required too much out of us mentally.  We fundraise because of what our daughter went through, what friends of ours children go through and what we know other parents will go through.  There is a spirit in the Kiltwalk community, which really emphasises why we do it - for the bairns!  The blipfoto written by Ian was also a nice reminder of why people do it, I think I cried at nearly every one.  Check it out if you can.

Our Kiltwalk fundraising for the last two years has been for Logan's Fund and will continue to be.  Supporting a local cause, where you know the parents, and so closely linked with our own experience means it is extremely important to us.  I haven't felt too stretched emotionally doing the Kiltwalks. This break has been enough to allow me to step up for one more big challenge; climbing a mountain!

This big challenge also fits in with something 'big' that Logan's Fund want to achieve.  A new initiative; 'Logan's Sunny Days'.  They want to purchase their own caravan in Lossiemouth so they can offer respite holidays to families undergoing treatment for cancer.  We know first hand how valued these types of holidays are thanks to Calum's Cabin, Christian Lewis and Malcolm Sargent house.  So, next year the challenge is to raise £4,200 to get me up a mountain to undertake a very physically demanding challenge but I'll be doing it so that Logan's Fund can provide respite holidays to families, just like we had.

You can donate to this challenge here:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=simpsons4logan&pageUrl=4

Kiltwalks 2014 Complete

Another year of Kiltwalks complete.  As a family we took part in all five.  Ross and myself did all 5, but not all of them were full walks.  Hats off to anyone who manages all of the full walks in one year.  A lot of people managed this year including Jock, Richard and Cameron from our team.

Ross completed the full walks at Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.  I completed the full walks at Glasgow and Dundee.  The reason for not doing full walks at all of them was Isla.  She really wanted to be part of it this year, and was just old enough to do so.  We decided that she was definitely doing the wee walk at Speyside and Edinburgh.  After doing Edinburgh in May she was desperate for the next one and so signed up to Aberdeen. At the start of the year, we didn't know exactly the walks we would be doing, but started with Glasgow in April and took it from there.  With Jock deciding that he was going for all of them this year, I felt I wanted to be there too at all of them offering team support, and that's how we ended up being involved in them all.

My last blog was written after completing the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, when Isla caught the Kiltwalk bug.  She signed up to do the Aberdeen one straight away.  The Aberdeen Kiltwalk was a longer walk at 8 miles for Isla.  Due to the route at Aberdeen there is only 2 walks rather than 3.  The walk started at Banchory.  At the start Isla and I met up with Keane and his granny Hazel.  Isla and Keane hit it off and got along the whole walk.  The walk took a long time with this pair, stopping every couple of steps, but they were funny together.  Isla was delighted at the end when her Clic Sargent social worker was there and presented her with a Clic Sargent medal, aswell as her Kiltwalk one.

With the Aberdeen Kiltwalk being at the beginning of June, there is a break before the next Kiltwalk at Speyside in September.  Isla was excited once again for her walk.  As I have already completed the half and full walk at Speyside I was looking forward to just doing the Wee Walk, Of course there was an element of guilt for just doing a Wee Walk, but I would rather walk with Isla.  If the need takes me I can go for a walk there anytime!  I would also say that the Wee Walk at Speyside is lovely, a flat route where you walk from Aberlour to Craigellachie and back again.  Speyside has the advantage of the hills in the middle, with a downhill, then a flat finish.  Speyside also boasts magnificent scenery and more importantly a brilliant after party in the Mash Tun.  Ross, myself and Isla walked along with my brothers daughter, it was her first walk.  She definitely wanted to be part of the Kiltwalk as well.  My Dad also appeared on the day and supported us by walking with us too.

Of course, we're just a small part of a bigger team for Logan's Fund at Speyside.  Here's more of them, but not all.  Go 'Logan's Tartan Turtle Army!'

The last Kiltwalk of the year was Dundee.  Our team of Cameron, Richard, Jock, Ross and myself were completing the last full walk of the year. Not forgetting Holly, who was completing her fifth and final wee walk of the year alongside mum Eli.  After walking with Isla for 3 walks, it felt very strange to walk at Dundee without her.  I really missed her and all the other kids who walk on the wee walks.  However, it's not a challenge for me to walk a wee walk and you almost feel guilty for doing so (almost).  

Dundee started wet!  There had been a few days of rain prior to the walk so the park where we started was wet.  Earlier in the year I bought myself a new pair of walking trainers online claiming to be waterproof.  The material on them may be waterproof, but the hundreds of little holes to make them breathable do not make the trainer waterproof!  So, with wet feet at the start, it caused a few minor problems for me.  I usually put  Zinc Oxide tape on my feet.  With Ross in charge of packing painkillers, tape etc, I didn't realise my tape was not packed until it was time to tape up my feet.  Instead I put on podiatry felt, which is almost good enough.  However, when this got wet, a little bit of it peeled off my foot, just under my toes.  About 3 miles into the walk, I felt I was maybe developing a blister.  I think, because of this, I was walking differently to protect that area.  Later on I started to experience sciatica.  I kept stopping every so often to stretch my back or squat to ease the pain.  The pain in my back obviously messed with my head a little and put an element of doubt into my ability to complete the walk.  This thought coupled with missing Isla, led to me becoming a little upset and fighting off a panic attack.  I stopped a couple of times trying to compose myself.  A very kindly gentleman and master tablet maker sensitively stopped walking after he passed us, allowed us to catch up and offer us a piece of tablet.  This little act of kindness helped a great deal.  He obviously could tell I was struggling emotionally, rather than offer words of comfort where I would start greeting, he offered a distraction - very clever man!  Turns out being nice to someone like me, will just make me more upset, distraction is the key!  

After passing the half way point, I was beginning to feel a bit better emotionally, just needed to keep plodding on.  I posted online and also checked up on the status of others in our group.  I reckoned that they were about an hour in front of us.  About a mile later, at beautiful Broughty Ferry imagine my surprise to discover Jock and Cameron, alongside Team Simba's Allan and Tudge, sat in front of a pub enjoying an unofficial pit stop.  Apparently it was the second one too.  No longer an hour in front!  After some banter and some pain relief supplied by the boys, it was time for Ross and I to get walking again.  Twenty minutes later we were passed by the 'pit stoppers' walking very briskly on the lookout for their next pit stop.  The scenery along Broughty Ferry, and along to Discovery Point was a welcome distraction, and passed quite quickly for me.  By Discovery Point, we decided we need some refreshment and lo and behold discovered Jock, Cameron, Tudge and Allan once again.

 Topped up with painkillers we were off again walking along to the airport, then back through Dundee to the finish.  The last pit stop was offering soup.  That soup was just ideal.  I don't enjoy eating all the sweet things offered on a Kiltwalk, so this was perfect.  Ross was struggling more towards the end with pain, but mine was bearable.  When I finished I booked in for a massage due to the sciatica I had experienced.  She warned me that as I'd been protecting the side with the sciatica the other side of me was really tight. The next morning I woke up with a sore neck, that I couldn't turn to the left!  So, getting wet feet, led to sciatica and the resulting sore neck.  Next time I think, either new waterproof trainers or carrier bags on your feet like the couple I'd seen at the start!  My neck pain lasted almost 4 weeks.

But, what's a sore neck compared to what the kids go through?  Nothing, not worthy of noting really.  Only an experience for future walks, to make them that little easier.

Our fundraising for this year is now complete and between Ross, Isla, Becky, Cerys and myself we raised £1662 without gif taid, so a big thank you to everyone who supported us along the way.

Of course, our Kiltwalk experience does not end there, there's always next year!

Oor Inspiration

Yesterday, we took part in our second Kiltwalk of the year. The first Kiltwalk was in Glasgow on 21st April, and yesterday we were in Edinburgh to do it again!

We knew after doing the full walk at Glasgow last year, that we definitely wanted to do it all again, with one change, having the day after, off work.  Luckily I'm working part-time this year, so it was possible to swap days.  This had the added benefit of being able to join in with the Kiltwalk after party!

Although keen to do the Glasgow Kiltwalk, there was one thing worrying me - a repeat panic attack.  Last year, I'd been hit by strong emotions walking through the grounds of Yorkhill hospital.  I had been caught unaware with my feelings, and I believe this resulted in me having a panic attack later in the walk.  In the lead up to the Glasgow Kiltwalk this year, I'd been reflecting on Isla's diagnosis.  It's the anniversary of her admission to hospital on the 15th of April, and I just can't avoid thinking about it.  I don't think it would do me any good to avoid it, it just makes me a little 'out of sorts' for a while.  The reflection is also a good thing, as it is a constant reminder to cherish my children each and everyday.  I also think of all the friends who have lost their lives, the families on their journeys with childhood cancer and the newly diagnosed.  I truly do know how lucky I am, especially as Isla has reached 5 year survival.

I knew the route for the Glasgow Kiltwalk had changed this year, but I hadn't paid any attention to the new route, my philosophy is to just turn up and get on with it!  This year the Glasgow Kiltwalk started at the Hydro, and then headed to Yorkhill.  Just before we got to Yorkhill, I got the biggest surprise ever, when one of the children's pictures that you see to inspire you on you on your walk was 'Oor Isla' looking happy in the photo for her first day of school, with the word 'Inspire' written at the bottom.  I was so delighted to see her face (so was Ross), that the approach to Yorkhill was a happy one.  Also, there was an added bonus of just walking around the back of the hospital so I didn't have to look up at those windows of Schiehallion ward.  Oor Inspiration truly did spur us on our walk, no negative emotions felt this time at all.  The negative emotion associated with Yorkhill has absolutely nothing to do with the care Isla received there.  It was absolutely brilliant, without their close care and dedication Isla wouldn't be with us today.  She really was seriously ill, and we came very close to losing her, that's why it's difficult to be there, it's a reminder of those scary times. Just look at her now!

Once again this year, we are walking as part of a team supporting Logan's Fund - Logan's Tartan Turtle Army, a wee change to the name as Logan loved turtles!  Also walking on the Glasgow Kiltwalk with our team was my family -  my 71 year old dad, my brother Richard, my 15 year old daughter Cerys and friends - Cameron Mackintosh and Jock Mckay.  We all walked the full walk of 23 miles.  Also walking for Logan's Fund was Senga Harrison (a new friend), and hopefully we managed to recruit 2 new members to our team for next year in the form of Chris Finlay (Jock's mate) and Grace Hilling (Senga's mate).  We all partied like a team at the end of the walk.

Since we've been taking part in the Kiltwalk's we've gotten to know other regulars, commonly known as the Kiltwalk family.  Just like any family, there are cousins I haven't yet met but have heard of.  This Kiltwalk family have become a great support to each other, one I'm so grateful to be part of.  It's a great feeling to come across your friends along the walk, you get a blether for a while as you walk together, you get to hear stories to motivate you to do your bit, and at the end you get to have a wee moan about your sore bits, or share a drink and a dance with.  You also get the feeling that many of these people are facing their own personal struggles, that these walks are tough, and not just physically for them.  You're all the same, but putting 'oor bairns' first.  I really do love that about the Kiltwalker's.  They are a special breed, when they find out one of their own is struggling, they'll go back after completing their walk to walk with that person.  Last week, John Grigor was spotted doing a solo Kiltwalk in Edinburgh.  It turns out John was determined to do all 5, but was away when the Edinburgh Kiltwalk was on, so decided to do it the week before, that was just a week after Glasgow.  Some of the Kiltwalk family turned up to walk with John and give him a heroes welcome at the end.


Yesterday was the Kiltwalk in Edinburgh, there was my husband Ross, my eldest daughter Becky, my brother Richard, my youngest daughter Isla and myself.  Also, part of our group was Cameron Mackintosh, Jock McKay and Senga Harrison.

I've divided us into two groups, as Cameron, Jock and Senga were brave (daft!) enough to walk a full Kilt of over 26 miles, and we just did the Wee Walk of over 6 miles.  Doing the Edinburgh Walk was a last minute decision.  Jock had decided earlier on in the year that he was planning to do all five, and to me it didn't feel right that he would be on his own, he is, after all part of a team.  Isla was also keen to get in on the act, hearing us talk about it, so we signed up for the Wee Walk that Isla is allowed to take part in.

I wasn't sure exactly how Isla would feel, as she was overwhelmed with the crowd last year in Buckie at the start of the Speyside Kiltwalk.  Isla was really keen yesterday until it came to everyone gathering together for the start of the walk, I could see her getting anxious, so we ended up standing off to one side.  When the piper started to lead us off Isla quickly moved up to the front away from the crowd.  Isla made me laugh with her comment of 'there was no pipe band'!  The Speyside start left a bigger impression than I thought.

As we started walking, Isla did have a moan about how her feet and legs were sore, we reassured her that this was no race, we would go as slow as she liked and take as many stops as she liked.  This seemed to be all the motivation she needed, as she didn't moan again for the rest of her walk.

Ross got talking to a couple who were walking beside us with their daughter Hannah, and Ross introduced them as they were also walking for a Neuroblastoma charity.  I ended up walking and talking with the woman for quite some time, to discover that she was originally from Elgin, that her friend lives in Keith, who my brother knows and she was also a teacher!  Small world.  They had had a difficult time with their own daughter in her first year of life spending most of it in hospital, but had decided to walk in support of her friend whose son was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma last April and was currently in the U.S. receiving treatment.

I'd realised with my talking I'd moved away from Ross, Richard and Isla, so waited with Becky for them to catch us up.  We had also reached the half way point.  Isla was taking the walk in her stride with a big smile on her face.

Becky was beginning to struggle at this point.  Walking a distance hasn't been easy for Becky in recent years.  Becky is double jointed (hypermobile, she likes to dislocate joints!) and she walks with her knees close together and ankles apart, this puts pressure on her knees, ankles and balls of her feet.  We had another little stop to put some moleskin on Becky's feet as she felt they were starting to blister.  Isla wouldn't stop with Becky, as she was in her stride, so Richard carried on with her.  We all met up again and carried on with our walk.  Isla was enjoying the scenery, watching the other families.

Isla was excited when she seen the 1 mile to go marker, but the delight at seeing her own picture was priceless.  I'm sure she walked faster after that!

I love seeing the pictures of all the bairns, especially at the end, it's the final motivation and reminder to keep going.  I also want to be able to identify all the kids from reading the Kiltwalk blipfoto's.  Sometimes I struggle with my emotions after reading the Blipfoto stories, but they're an effective motivator to keep on doing what you can to help. If you have something to give, then you should.  We're surrounded by reminders of how lucky we are to be healthy and able from news stories.  Last week, there were the stories of Stephen Sutton's battle, the loss of life for Alfie Sharpe and Oscar Knox - 2 Neuroblastoma warriors.  Just reading the Blipfoto of Aine the night before the Kiltwalk  had me emotional again!  There are constant reminders to treasure each day.

Isla loved her first experience of the Kiltwalk, cheering on others finishing, getting something to eat at the end, having a dance in the marquee.  She immediately wanted to know when she could do it all again.  I explained she was doing the Wee Walk in September, but that Mummy and Daddy were going to be doing Aberdeen in 3 weeks time.  I explained the Wee Walk at Aberdeen was a little bit longer with a hill, but she wants to do it and signed up today!

'Oor Inspiration'

If you want to sponsor Isla and our efforts as we try to take part in all 5 Kiltwalk's this year, you can do so here:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=simpsons4logan

Logan's Legacy

Last year, the Sunday Post had a big launch for this years Kiltwalk's, teaming up with 'Oor Wullie' as the new face.  Reading that paper, Ross suggested doing 3 Kiltwalk's - Glasgow, Edinburgh and Speyside.  I hastily agreed, and had my own suggestion - doing it as part of a team for Logan's Fund.

We always wanted to give back to Logan's Fund, just hadn't had the chance yet.  About March 2010, while stuck in hospital with a temperature in isolation for the umpteenth time, I was searching on the internet for a holiday for the family once Isla had completed her hospital treatment.  Someone had suggested the charities that granted wishes for sick children, but searching showed that Isla wasn't old enough to be eligible for this.  Someone else suggested fundraising myself to raise the money needed for our family holiday, and so my first blog began.  We were overwhelmed with the support and donations received (and still are), and one donation in particular.  We were contacted by Logan's Fund offering £3000 towards our holiday to Disneyland Paris!

Logan Reece Main was born on 16th January 2006, a much longed for child to Angela and Chris.  In August 2008 Logan developed swelling in the abdomen, and he was admitted to the local hospital and immediately transferred to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital with a diagnosis of Neuroblastoma.  Like many children having treatment for cancer, things didn't go smoothly.  Logan hardly got home.  An operation to remove the tumour was complex, and planned to happen in Great Ormond Street Hospital following further chemotherapy.  While researching possible treatments for Logan, his parents discovered other treatment that Logan could have abroad after the tumour removal, but these would be expensive, and so Logan's Fund was established to raise the money  needed.

Although Logan wasn't often well enough to get home, nothing fazed him.  He was a much adored child and patient of the hospital.  I never got to meet Logan.  When Isla was diagnosed in April 2009, we spent ten days in the hospital in Aberdeen before being transferred to Yorkhill.  That time spent for me was spent in a room with Isla with the door shut to the outside world.  Ross stayed in the parent accommodation at night, and would pay visits to the cafe for coffee etc, and had a chance to meet other parents going through the same as us.  Ross met Angela, and discovered her son Logan also had Neuroblastoma, like Isla.

When my mum came to visit us that weekend she'd brought the local paper with her, while flicking through I was drawn to a story.  The story was about Logan, and the fundraising to get him treatment abroad.  I remember the surreal feeling of reading a story like that, with the reality of the situation in our ward, and in our lives.  Many people will be like me, and be drawn to stories like that in the newspapers, and this time the story was close to home, we were just like these people in the papers.  You don't ever think that will happen to you.  It's not the natural order of things; children getting cancer.  You think it happens when people get old, or smoke too much etc.  Magazines and newspapers had been full of the story of Jade Goody, losing her battle with cancer, shocking enough when cancer effects young women.  While pregnant with Isla, two friends were also diagnosed with cancer.  The truth of people 'not old' getting cancer was now reality for us.

Once we'd been in Yorkhill for a while I contacted Angela, as she was the only other person at the time I knew with a child suffering Neuroblastoma.  She was able to offer support and advice.  Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Logan lost his life to the terrible disease.  Isla had turned a corner, and we were full of hope, and the reality of what could happen came with news of his death.  Logan received a great send off, he had touched the hearts of many in his short life.  When we returned to the hospital in Aberdeen, photos of his happy face were a welcome sight on the ward.

I kept in touch with Angela, and as I said we were overwhelmed with the offer of money for a holiday from Logan's Fund.  It had been decided to keep Logan's Fund going, in his memory, using the money raised to help other children and families in a similar situation.  Logan's Fund have donated to the Schiehallion Ward in Yorkhill, MFR Cash for Kids, CLAN (Cancer and Leukaemia in the North), Families Against Neuroblastoma, to help buy suits that enable children with a hickman line to swim.

Logan's Fund also started an annual family fun day, held in Lossiemouth every August.  The fun day raises money to donate to charity.  In 2010, money was raised for FAN, in 2011 for Make a Wish and in 2012 for the Neuroblastoma Alliance (NCCA).  This years one will be held this Sunday 25th August from 12 - 5pm, with a car boot sale at 10am.  So, if you're in the area, please do pop along!

Logan's Fund have helped families with a child affected by cancer, and want to continue to do so.  Fundraising in the name of your child is not an easy thing.  You share things, hear things and answer peoples questions and it's difficult to do that.  Being a family affected by childhood caner is difficult, people who you have become friends with through the shared experience suffer terrible loss.  Angela and Chris have suffered their own loss, yet want to keep Logan's legacy alive fundraising and supporting others.  In gratitude to the support they offer, we wanted to give something back, so one way is doing the Kiltwalks for Logan's Fund.  If you haven't yet donated to us, please consider a donation, so that Logan's Fund can continue helping others, leaving a lasting legacy of a beautiful wee boy.

To donate to our 3 Kiltwalks for Logan's Tartan Army, you can do so here:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=simpsons4logan

Or to donate to the team doing the Speyside Kiltwalk for Logan's Fund, you can donate here:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=LogansTartanArmy2013&isTeam=true