When I'd heard of the Kiltwalk in Speyside earlier this year, it appealed to me, but I really wanted to do something for Isla's appeal, hence doing a sponsored cycle.
It was more of a last minute decision a couple of weeks ago to take part in the Speyside Kiltwalk. As much as I want to create a fund for Isla should she need treatment or donate to Neuroblastoma research if she doesn't need any, I also like to give to other charities, especially ones that have helped us or will help other children who have a serious illness. I wanted to take the opportunity to be part of the first Speyside Kiltwalk, and my husband is joining me too.
The kiltwalk raises money that benefits four different children's charities; Clic Sargent, CHAS, Aberlour and TACC. Obviously Clic Sargent is close to our heart as it provides support to families of children with cancer. Clic gave us a couple of cheques to help with travel expenses during Isla's treatment. Isla was treated at two hospitals, one 67 miles away and the other about 150 miles away, so we spent a lot of money on fuel during 20 months of treatment. We spent a holiday at Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick in May last year. A wonderful holiday where we were looked after and made good friends with other lovely families in the same situation. Spending time with other families who understand what you've been/going through is important.
I do still feel that a lot more could be done by the charity in our area by providing a Clic Sargent nurse and social worker, perhaps with more funding that could happen? Clic Sargent is the only charity that has helped us out of the four that the Kiltwalk supports, but as much as we like 'giving something back' to those we've had help from, we also like to support other charities. Having had a child who was once very ill and who has needed a lot of care for a long time I can empathise with parents who face the same kind of demanding struggles. To find out more about the other worthy children's charities supported and the Kiltwalk, click on this link.
http://www.thekiltwalk.co.uk/main/
I'm looking forward to taking part in the walk, around 500 people are taking part, which I believe is way beyond what they expected. I think with such a large group of people there will be a great atmosphere.
Hopefully the weather dries up this weekend so I can get out for a long walk, I'm afraid I haven't had the chance to get out this week with the miserable weather. If the rain keeps up, I'll be on the treadmill at the gym to get some walking done. I'm hoping the river paths dry up and there's no flooding at the time the Kiltwalk takes place.
Something else I have focused on in previous posts is diet! I'm afraid it's not going so well. March was a slow month where I was the same weight at the end as at the beginning. 1lb off, stay same, 2lb on, 1 lb off etc. The beginning of April we went on holiday to Calum's Cabin on the Isle of Bute, so allowed myself wine and treats. With Easter following that I was relaxed with eating again, chocolate was too hard to resist! I've been promising myself every week that I'll get back into the diet again, but I'm afraid I keep giving into cravings for cake. I'm blaming this miserable weather. April has been a very dull, wet and cold month and has put me in comfort eating mode. Maybe I shouldn't have allowed myself to relax on holiday, I switched off diet mode and lost the switch to turn it back on!
Hopefully I'll get back to the diet sometime, but in the meantime I'll focus on the kiltwalk. Your support would be much appreciated by me, by the families of children with cancer, and the families of children supported by the other charitites that the kiltwalk supports. You can sponsor us by using the 'sponsor us for the kiltwalk here' button or by text. To donate via text enter SPEY50 followed by a space and the amount between £1 and £10 to 70070. PLEASE consider donating. Thanks
