Going the extra mile
Date published: 27 May 2009
WHAT’S your idea of giving to charity? Throwing a few coppers into a collection tin, pledging your support on Children in Need night or even setting up a direct debit from your account — all very commendable. But there are a handful of people who go the extra mile to raise money and awareness for charities close to their heart. Chronicle reporter DAWN ECKERSLEY spoke to three Oldhamers who are going all out for a good cause.
He struggles to see people’s faces, watch TV and cut his own nails but that hasn’t put James Ferguson off completing a 550 mile tandem bike ride across England.
The 26-year-old was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) two years ago.
He was travelling through South America at the time and spent many weeks seeing an eye specialist in Chile as his sight began to deteriorate rapidly before flying back to the UK.
LHON affects around one in every 31,000 people with men more likely to be affected and is caused by a spelling mistake in your DNA.
The condition affects central vision but sufferers can still get on with day to day life by using their peripheral sight.
James, who now works at Groundwork in Higginshaw Road, discovered a research programme into LHON at Newcastle University and has organised a number of events to raise funds and awareness of the condition in the hope of one day finding a cure.
Last year James raised £8,500 after completing a triathlon and he has just finished a 550 mile tandem bike ride with his former work colleague Beth Sutcliffe taking in Chester, Hereford, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Oxford, Reading, Chelmsford, Peterborough, Nottingham and Sheffield.
He said: “It’s been really good fun and we’ve had friends and family join us for different parts of the route. I don’t have a specific target for how much money I want to raise but any amount would be fantastic. My main aim is to raise awareness of the condition and let people know what it’s all about.”
For more information about James’s trip visit www.2people1bike.wordpress.com
Lakes quest awaits breakthrough pair
WHEN it comes to throwing on a silly costume and doing her bit for charity Sally Hibbert is a real pro.
The 40-year-old mum-of-one is currently in training for a 21-mile trek across some of the finest scenery the Lake District has to offer.
Sally, from Chadderton, will set out on the 12 Lakes Challenge with her friend Christine Serridge on June 12.
The pair will take in a dozen of the finest and most beautiful tarns and lakes as well as the spectacular tumbling waterfalls, mountain passes and picturesque villages.
In the past, Sally has completed nine consecutive Race for Life events as well as hosting a number of pink parties and fund-raising bashes in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Her most recent event was a swishing party — where everyone gets together and swaps unwanted clothes and household goods in exchange for a donation. Six years ago, Sally, a teaching assistant at Blue Coat School, lost her father John Farrar to cancer of the oesophagus and she has seen many of her friends battle breast cancer.
She said: “As I’ve grown older, I realise how devastating cancer can be — not only to the person suffering but to everyone around them — and I want to do my bit to stop this happening to as many people as possible.”
Over the years, Sally has raised around £8,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and volunteers at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Royton.
She said: “Huge thanks must go to my family and friends who have always supported me and donated generously.
“We have tried so many fund-raising ideas over the years and try to keep it fresh so people don’t get sick of us badgering them for money — it’s for a hugely worthwhile cause.”
For more information about the charity visit www.breakthrough.org.uk
Scaling the heights
THRILLSEEKER Paul Steele has already tackled most of the hills and mountains on offer in the UK.
And a trip to Tanzania to scale Mount Kilimanjaro last year didn’t do much to cure his hunger.
Now, the 37-year-old father-of-one is planning a trip to Mount Aconcagua in Argentina — the highest mountain in the Americas at 23,000ft.
Paul, from Grotton, is making the journey in January leaving him plenty of time to gather sponsorship for the Anthony Nolan Trust.
The Trust matches bone marrow donors with recipients as well as raising awareness of leukaemia and campaigning for pioneering research.
Paul said: “It’s a charity that doesn’t really get much attention so I thought I would do my bit to raise awareness.
“Some charities get lots of coverage on TV and I always try to help out the less well-known ones.”
Paul has been going to the gym six days a week as well as climbing any hills or mountains he can get to whenever he has a spare few hours.
He is now appealing to local businesses and organisations to help him in any way they can.
“I am not going to pester anyone for money but if any local businesses think they have something they can donate as a raffle prize or if they do want to donate they can e-mail me at eleetsp@googlemail.com”
