Lauren fundraising in mum’s memory
‘TeamMaggie’doingitformuchlovedteacher
ANDREA LAMBROU
One year on from losing her mum to cancer Lauren Ferguson is repaying Kilbryde Hospice for the exceptional care they provided in those final days.
The 27-year-old solicitor from Stewartfield is putting her best foot forward this month for the cause which has a special place in her heart.
Lauren has pledged to take part in the ‘Lockdown Challenge for Kilbryde Hospice’ to help raise £90,000 for the charity.
With losses of £90k per month and £2.9m needed annually to keep it afloat, Kilbryde is appealing for community support to help it survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The challenge urges locals to raise £250 through fundraising donations.
After her beloved mum, Margaret Anne Kennedy – a former depute head teacher of St Leonards Primary – lost her three-month battle with lung cancer last April, Lauren launched ‘Team Maggie’ in her memory and has raised hundreds of pounds for charity through various events like Tough Mudder.
Now, determined to help Kilbryde Hospice in their hour of need, she will walk 250km in June, donating all proceeds to the charity that cared for Maggie till the end.
Lauren told the News: “Mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2019 and unfortunately things deteriorated over a very short period of time and she passed away in April 2019.
“She was cared for in Kilbryde Hospice for the last few weeks of her life.
“The care the hospice provided was outstanding; from the minute mum entered the hospice she was made to feel welcome, as were the rest of the family.
“Her room was lovely and did not have a hospital feel to it – it was very homely.
“The nurses and staff couldn’t do enough for mum and for us, letting us stay overnight and spend time with mum day and night.
“Since mum passed, myself and other family members and friends have carried out fundraising events to help raise money for the hospice and have formed ‘Team Maggie’ in her memory.
“We cannot thank the hospice enough for the care they provided and will continue to help with fundraising in the future in any way we can.
“The hospice is such an amazing local service that we have here in East Kilbride and I cannot emphasise enough how amazing the work they do is.”
The lifeline charity launched an emergency COVID-19 Appeal after revealing losses of £300,000 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With the future of the £4million palliative care centre at Hairmyres Hospital in doubt, the News is officially backing their fundraising drive as we ask the people of East Klbride and beyond to ‘Save Our Hospice’.
Lauren added: “Coronavirus has massively impacted their fundraising therefore I would like to raise some money to help at least a little bit.
“I decided to walk 250km in the month of June to raise £250. I am working full-time so have been going for walks in the mornings, evenings and weekends.
“I have so far walked 146.84km and have raised £605 – 242 per cent of my target.
“The generosity from all those who have donated so far has been incredible and I am so very grateful to each and every one of them.
“The gym I go to (Fergus Fit) also held a virtual race night which raised £190 which forms part of the total and I am very grateful to Fergus and the team for their kind donations.”
Make a donation at justgiving. com/fundraising/lauzferg