Pain and cash gain for cyclist
A charity cyclist pushed through the pain barrier for St Andrew’s Hospice in memory of his sister.
Jamie Haugh took on a 50k for 50 days cycling challenge in memory of his sister, Jacqueline Donnelly, who passed away in the hospice earlier this year.
Jacqueline was a much-loved wife, mother, sister and teacher at Orchard Primary School in Overtown.
Unfortunately, Jamie had an accident during this time which saw him break his shoulder, collarbone and ribs and puncture his lung.
Although unable to complete the challenge due to his injuries, support from family and friends saw him raise a whopping £4100 for the hospice.
Jamie, from Motherwell, said: “I was coming to a roundabout in Hamilton when it was raining and hit a camber.
“I ended up with a lot of injuries including five broken ribs and a punctured lung. That was agony.
“I think people must have felt sorry for me so I was pleased to raise that money.
“I’m just about recovered but still have to do some physio work.”
Jacqueline’s sons Finn, 13, nine-year-old Marcus, and Christian, aged seven, as well as
Jamie’s daughter Ellie, 10, visited the hospice earlier this month to present the cheque to the charity’s fundraising team.
“She was just full of fun,” said Jamie.
“She loved her family and the kids as well as teaching. Jackie was one of the these people that was full of life.
“She was the first one onto the dancefloor on a night out and the last one to leave.
“Anyone who came across her definitely remembered her.”
Jacqueline spent her final days in the hospice after being diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in March at the age of just 41.
Jamie, 47, was always close with his younger sister and knew he wanted to fundraise almost immediately to help those who made her final days so comfortable.
He added: “Because of her illness Jackie knew the end was coming and she had picked out hymns for her funeral.
“Because of lockdown it wasn’t possible to have a proper service or Mass.
“She was only at the hospice for a few days but you were blown away by the care she received.
“Jackie died on March 21 and I had been thinking of doing something for a while.
“Because of the restrictions I was able to get out on the bike and was able to put in the training miles.”