Charity workers get pedalling towards three-day challenge
Staff from Marie Curie Cancer Care got into the saddle to raise awareness of a challenge to boost much-needed funds for the charity.
Robbie McIntosh and Kate Stevenson took to their tandem ahead of the Edinburgh to Dublin Cycle Challenge, a 220-mile journey aiming to raise up to £100,000.
The three-day event, which will take place in July, is open to everyone, and proceeds will help the organisation to provide essential support for people with terminal illnesses.
Robbie McIntosh, Marie Curie Cancer Care events manager for Scotland, who will be taking part this summer, explained what the challenge involves.
He said: “It’s a three-day cycle, so we’re going to spend the first day going down to the coast then over on the ferry for two more days cycling when we get to Ireland.
“It’s going to be a very big event; we’re looking to have around 60 people doing it – anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can join in; anyone who wants a challenge and fancies cycling. There’s six months until the actual event so there’s lots of time to get yourself ready and take part in it.
“It’s a fantastic event to do in two fantastic capitals, with beautiful countryside between them, all for an amazing cause.”
Money raised will go towards services provided by Marie Curie around the UK, which involves a network of more than 2700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals caring for terminally ill patients in the community.
As well as assisting people who choose to die at home, the charity also has nine hospices throughout the country, with one in Edinburgh, where in-patient care, social, spiritual and family support and bereavement support is on offer.
Around 70 per cent of Marie Curie’s income comes from fundraising and donations, with the organisation required to raise the equivalent of £10,000 an hour to carry on their work.
Robbie stressed how important the Cycle Challenge is to this target.
He said: “This is vital, this goes towards making sure that people who really need our services can have them free of charge meaning the nurses will go into people’s homes and look after them when they are terminally ill, making sure they are afforded the chance to die at home supported by their families.”
Kate Stevenson, a nurse for Marie Curie, added: “Money raised by the challenge is very important to enabling me to do my job looking after patients in the community who choose to die at home.
“I work from 10pm until seven in the morning, nursing people and supporting families to enable them to die at home if that’s their choice. It’s very important to families to have their loved one at home in their last couple of days and being able to spend time with them.
“It’s a very difficult job to do but it’s also very rewarding. You know that you’re getting a service out there and letting people die at home if that’s their place of choice.”
The Cycle Challenge will take place from July 13. Participants are asked to pay a registration fee of £150 and to pledge to raise a minimum of £1,250 in sponsorship. Costs cover accommodation, meals, the ferry crossing to Larne and return flight to Edinburgh, plus a support team including a bike mechanic who will be on hand throughout the whole trip.
An information evening will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, January 31 at Finnegans Wake bar in Edinburgh.
For further information, visit the Marie Curie website or call 08700 340 040.
Article source: http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/news/26592-charity-workers-get-pedalling-towards-three-day-challenge/