Ticking the Millennium Way off their ‘to do’ list of walks saw HSBC colleagues Neil Helmer and Richard Creamore sign up for the Lisa Lowe Appeal Walk, but the fundraising event took on a personal dimension when Neil’s mum was diagnosed with cancer.
That news gave them even greater determination to raise funds for Manx Cancer Help, and the pair have now handed over a cheque for ?1,500 to the charity.
The Lisa Lowe Appeal Walk, held earlier this year, saw 350 intrepid walkers take on the challenging 28-mile course, helping to raise more than ?10,000. Among them were Neil and Richard.
Neil, a Planning and Support Manager at HSBC, said: ‘We initially entered because the Millennium Way was a walk we had wanted to do and tick off our list. But as the date of walk came closer it became more personal for me when my mum was diagnosed with cancer. This just gave me more determination, along with Richard's support, to complete the walk and raise as much money as possible for Manx Cancer Help.’
Sponsorship from work colleagues raised ?750, and thanks to HSBC’s matching scheme the final total was taken to ?1,500.
Neil added: ‘Although the weather on the day was ideal for walking, the lack of training certainly took its toll during the first part of the course. Boggy conditions, what appeared to be insurmountable “hills”, and rough, uneven terrain certainly did not make easy going!
‘The second half of the walk was much easier, although the climb out of Crosby was somewhat testing. Eventually the welcome sight of Castle Rushen came into view and the last couple of miles suddenly became a little easier, knowing that the end was not too far away.
‘Saying that, I’m not sure that we will be walking the full route of the Millennium Way again in any hurry!’
He concluded: ‘I’m proud we completed the walk and absolutely delighted to be have been able to present ?1,500 to Manx Cancer Help to help it continue its vital work. I’d like to thank all our sponsors, HSBC and, of course, Richard for all his support.’
Manx Cancer Help provides specialist psychological and emotional support to anyone whose life has been affected by a cancer diagnosis. The Lisa Lowe Appeal Walk was established in 1996 when Lisa Lowe set about raising as much money as she could to highlight the importance of the charity’s services. Lisa organised many events while she was ill, raising more than ?80,000 before she sadly died in November 1997. Lisa remains a source of inspiration and motivation for Manx Cancer Help and, being completely self-funded, the money raised at the walk is essential to ensure the charity can continue providing vital help and support to cancer sufferers in the Island community.
Manx Cancer Help’s Fundraising Events Co-ordinator Gareth Nicholson said: ‘We would like to thank Neil and Richard so much for raising such an amazing amount for us, and HSBC for matching their efforts. People join the walk for all sorts of reasons, and clearly Neil’s personal experience gave him and Richard the drive to raise as much sponsorship as they could.
‘We truly appreciate every penny which is donated to Manx Cancer Help. Funds like those raised by Neil and Richard, and everyone else who joined the walk, all help and will make a huge difference to somebody who needs our help, here in the Isle of Man.’
Photo - Richard Creamore, Manx Cancer Help’s Andrea Chambers and Neil Helmer.
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