Family is summit special
Cousins scale highest peak to raise cash for hospice
Two cousins have tackled Scotland’s highest peak to support the hospice that looked after their dads.
Sharon and Linda Davis and their group of “Nevis Nutters” scaled Ben Nevis to give back to St Vincent ’ s Hospice in Howwood.
The palliative care unit helped the family after it was rocked by cancer.
Bank worker Sharon, 38, says they were determined to push themselves to thank the staff who helped them through the pain of losing their fathers.
She said: “We thought it would be a great way for us to give something back.
“We really wanted to show our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the amazing doctors and nurses in the hospice.
“The care and support they provided to both our dads, and to ourselves and our families, during those difficult times can never be repaid.
“They are unbelievably skilled and we wouldn’t have made it out the other side without them.
“The word hospice can be scary, but at the end, dad didn’t want to leave.
“They fully deserve all the credit in the world.”
Council worker Linda, 36, and Sharon, both from Cochrane Castle, Johnstone, roped pals in for the 1,345-metre hike to the summit.
They battled the elements, with temperatures plunging to minus 15°Celsius as they climbed higher in April.
Linda’s dad Lennox Davis , who was a mechanic, passed away aged 49 in 2006 while brother George, who was a retired joiner, died in 2014, at only 65.
The group also organised a charity party at Lochwinnoch Bowling Club – where the siblings were members – weeks after the challenge.
Friends rallied and dug deep to provide raffle and auction prizes to take the total donations to almost £6,500 Laura McDade, fundraiser at St Vincent’s Hospice, hailed the family for their generosity.
She said: “On behalf of all of us, we can’t thank Linda, Sharon, The Nevis Nutters, and everyone who kindly sponsored their efforts enough.
“This is an incredible sum of money raised and it will go to such good use supporting those affected with life-limiting illnesses in the Renfrewshire area.”
St Vincent’s Hospice, in Midton Road, Howwood, provides specialised care to families affected by life-limiting illnesses.
It costs almost £6,000-a-day to run the vital service, with more than half of funds coming through donations.
To find out how to hold your own St Vincent’s Hospice fundraiser, call 01505 705 635 or email info@svh.co.uk