While the profile of cancer has increased over the years it’s still very much something that nobody expects to happen to them. However with one in three of us expected to get cancer and the number growing each year it seems a lot closer to home.

 

This was certainly the case for many of us at Hilton-Baird before Alan Baird, founder and director of the business, was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. For those of you who know Alan, he is one of the world’s ‘glass is half full’ people; well, in fact his is always overflowing. With endless energy and enthusiasm it was as if someone had pressed pause on our world in a matter of seconds and, like with many illnesses, things don’t really start again until someone is fully better.

 

Alan was lucky and had fantastic initial GP/NHS care and was then able to rely on his private medical cover for his surgery and chemo treatment. He has received terrific support throughout his treatment and, having finished his chemo, we all have our fingers crossed for him to make a full recovery. We have all been touched by how bravely he has coped with his cancer and how, even during his chemo, he has continued working. His illness and example has brought us all closer together and inspired us to raise as much money as we can for Macmillan Cancer Support.

 

Eleven hardy employees of the Hilton-Baird Group – including Alan, who will be driving and providing support for the team – are embarking on one of the most gruelling challenges the UK has to offer to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The Three Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales inside 24 hours, is well renowned for its degree of difficulty. And with the aid of several training exercises to get the team in shape, we will be climbing the 26 miles up and down Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon over one weekend in September 2012.

 

So please, dig deep and show your support by donating whatever you can to such a worthy cause.

 

Thank you.

Hilton-Baird Group