Mum and daughter are cancer fundraising stars
Suzanne urges women to take part in screening programme
Daredevil Aaron Fernando is taking to the skies to raise cash for a cervical cancer charity.
Aaron, 16, is set to complete a tandem skydive in May in aid of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
The charity helped the Fernando family after they were given the devastating news that her Mum Suzanne had cervical cancer.
Mum Suzanne has had to take a back seat from her fundraising while she has a few operations this year, so Aaron decided she wanted to carry on fundraising on her Mum’s behalf.
She said: “My Mum is amazing.
“She has been a tireless fundraiser and cervical cancer campaigner for about 16 years now.
“Mum was only 26 when she was diagnosed and if she hadn’t been pregnant with me at the time, the cancer may never have been found until it was too late.
“Cervical Cancer is still a taboo subject but an important one that we need to raise awareness of.
“Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust do a lot of good work and I wanted to give something back and help the fight to cure cancer.”
Aaron, who is a trainee make- up artist, added: “Doing a skydive was on my bucket list.
“I used to tell my Mum I wanted to do a skydive and she used to tell me I was mad.
“I can’t do a solo jump yet as am only 16 so a tandem dive will have to do.
“I’m planning on doing the skydive in May and trying to raise as much money as possible for the charity.
“I have a fundraising page and would appreciate any donation no matter how small.”
To make a donation visit Aaron’s page here https:// www. justgiving. com/ fundraising/ AaronFernando.
Meanwhile mum Suzanne will be raising awareness of cervical cancer by hosting stands at Ayrshire hospitals this May encouraging women to go for their smear test.
Suzanne, said: “Cervical screening ( smear test) is one the best ways a woman can reduce her risk of cervical cancer.
“It’s free on the NHS, yet in the UK, one out of five women do not attend their cervical screening so raising public awareness of ways to prevent cervical cancer is really important.
“With cervical screening attendance falling for younger and older women it is even more important for us to keep finding opportunities to raise awareness among different ages and groups of women.
“Every year I host the Ayrshire Steps for Jo’s on June 11 but due to some upcoming surgeries, I am sad that I can’t do it until 2018.
“I am upset, as I’ve never missed a Jo’s event but unfortunately it can’t be helped. However, whilst this is disappointing for us all, my wonderful daughter Aåron has now offered to take over some fundraising duties while I rest and do a charity tandem skydive in May to raise funds for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.”