Our best little buddy Beth, 4, inspires centre
A grieving mum and dad are using the memory of their daughter to inspire the building of a new cancer centre.
Eva and Roger Beattie tragically lost their four- year- old daughter Beth to a rare form of cancer in 2016.
Since then the couple have lead a fundraising team in her memory called ‘ Team Beth’ and they have been raising cash towards Ayrshire Cancer Support’s plan for a new drop in centre at Wellington Square in Ayr.
The leading cancer charity have announced their dream of opening the centre is becoming a reality after Eva and Roger raised over £ 45,000 towards the campaign.
Eva said: “Beth is our inspiration.
“She was a kind, gentle and quirky little girl.”
“Born with Neurofibromatosis Type- 1 ( NF1), a rare genetic condition, life could be challenging but she was smashing it.
“Until she turned three that is. “NF1 causes tumours to form on nerve endings and can occur anywhere on the body.
“For Beth that meant a brain tumour.
“Despite surgery and chemotherapy we lost our best little buddy and all her loveliness in 2016.
“Since her diagnosis we have been working to raise awareness of NF1 and also some funds along the way for some wonderful charities.
“We have chosen to raise money for Ayrshire Cancer Support as they supported us through the most difficult of times.
“So many people have benefited from the wonderful work that this charity do.”
The charity have raised £ 271,000 in the first year of the campaign, which is named Home4Cancer.
The fantastic sum has been raised by Eva, Roger and a number of local individuals and businesses.
It almost takes the charity to its first target of £ 350,000 and the end of Phase One, to buy a building in Ayr.
Phase Two, will see a push to raise a further £ 350,000 to carry out building and special adaptations to the new centre.
Laura Brown, Head of Income for Ayrshire Cancer Support, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has donated so far.
“Once we’ve bought a building, we will then need to continue to raise funds to undertake the necessary building works we’ll need to do in order to turn it into a bright and purposeful drop in centre.
“We want to replicate our current Kilmarnock centre right here in Ayr.
“Locals will be able to arrange patient transport in person as well as receive support, counselling and therapies to help people deal with the symptoms of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment.
“There will also be an area where people can drop in for a coffee and a chat with other users who are also going through cancer treatment.
“We urgently need these services on our doorstep – and by donating to Ayrshire Cancer Support you are ensuring your money stays locally and will make a big difference to people who live here, in South Ayrshire.”
In addition to raising funds for the new centre, the charity needs to raise around £ 2500 every day to help deliver their free daily services.
Ayrshire Cancer Support provided over 12,000 free patient transport journeys to hospital appointments and delivered around 6,000 free therapeutic appointments in the past year.
If you can help raise funds for Ayrshire Cancer Support’s free services, or if you can help raise funds for their new building to turn an dream in to reality call 01292 269888.