Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. It's a page on behalf of all those in ELC who continue to astound me with their generosity and willingness to take part.

Last year we lost our pal Vera to cancer after a long fight against the disease over a number of years. It came as a great shock to us all, not least Dougie and Laura-Jane, her huband and daughter but also to the many workmates and friends Vera had within East Lothian Council. The donation made at the funeral was such that Dougie, Laura-Jane and I realised  more than ever that Cancer was obviously something that had or was currently touching so many people maybe we should do something to raise funds for Cancer Charities to help combat the disease in Vera's name.

To that end Vera's admin team held a phsycic night at which £1200 was raised and Dougie, Laura-Jane and myself participated with our local Scuba Diving club, East Lothian Divers in an English Channel Swim (26mls in the Aubigny Pool) to which many of you contributed raising a further £4700.

Twelve of us ( including Sue and Rachael Cormack, Dougie, Ian Dalgleish, Stuart Baxter, Murray Leys, Ian Crook, Paul and Linda Ritchie and myself together with friends and family) are setting off to do the Maggies Monster Bike and Hike, (30ml cycle followed by 43ml hike, Fort William to Inverness) on Sat 4th May starting at 6.00 am and hopefully finishing around midnight raising another £4800 before what I think we all see as the main event on Sat 18th May when 33 colleagues and 21 friends and relatives are climbing Ben Nevis. This will be a major achievement for a large number within the group and many have been getting in practice walks come hail, snow, wind, rain or shine in preparation since the turn of the year.

Rather than using individual sponsor sheets with so many ELC people taking part we thought a Just Giving page would be more appropriate. I am conscious of the financial pressures on us all and also of the incredible response to my sponsored swim but in recognition of this fantastic effort from Vera's friends and colleagues if you could make a contribution through the link to either Cancer Research or MacMillan Nursing we would all be extremely grateful.

ELC going 'Up the Hill' are, Ian Dalgleish, Paul and Linda Ritchie, Sue and Rachael Cormack, Graeme MacGregor, Adele King, Gary Ogg, Diana Budziosz, Tracey Smith, Margaret McLeod, Alex Campbell, Andrea Harnaman, Gill Smith, Jean Mathews, Stuart Baxter, Peter Forsyth, Murray Leys, Andy Mclellan, David Kerr, David Evans, Marion Muir, Bill Axon,George Fairgrieve, John McNeil, Alan Stubbs, Andy Riva, Ross Middlemass, Richard McNeil, Tom Shearer, Dougie Cameron, Jose Caballero, Fiona Anderson.

Many Thanks

Ray

What a fantastic effort, we went up Glen Nevis to the Falls of Steall on Friday in great weather to have a go on the rope bridge or wade the river to reach the falls, either way hardly for the feint hearted but everyone made the other side ( and back!). 45 started out the following morning in cloudy but fair weather to climb the Ben and all made it safely to the waterfall just over half way. A bite to eat and we were off again with the group fairly spread out as folks found their own pace. At 200m from the summit we came onto the snow line which slowed things down a bit, 22 reached the summit with the plan that they would have a break while the rest arrived, a quick photo and then head down while the rest had a short stay at the top. That all changed somewhat with the arrival of the strongest wind I've ever felt up there and in diminishing viz we called a halt and got everyone down safely, so near (50m) and yet so far for some but as we said, safety first and yes she will be there to welcome folks back another day.

Cimbing the Ben via the mountain path on a summers day is taxing enough but I'm amazed at the effort people put in and their determination to make it in what turned into difficult conditions. For that and to all of you who have donated to Cancer Research on Vera's behalf I am truly humbled.

A special mention from me for those who helped each other on the hill, encouraging or giving a helping hand. Without you we wouldn't have had the great experience we all enjoyed.

Thanks again

Ray

Hello again

 

Not to be outdone, for those who hadn't made the top in May we "popped" up the Ben again on Sat 10th August.

Thirteen enjoyed the Falls of Steall and the delight of the rope bridge to access the Falls on the Fri and 11 ventured to the summit of Ben Nevis on the Saturday. The weather was kinder on this occassion and we enjoyed some brilliant views on the way up. The summit was misty and none to warm but everyone was in high spirits to have accomplished what had evaded them in May.

Vera's Fund was the common cause and once again you witness a spirit of friendship not always evident as we go about our busy daily lives.

This culmination of fundraising over the past year has seen the total raised go over £28000 with £5000 going to Maggies and £11250 going to Cancer Research and MacMillan Nursing.

What a fantastic achievement and can I once again thank you, whether participant or donor from Dougie, Laura-Jane and myself for your contribution.

 

Ray   

 

   

 

 

 

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