Masterchef’s Lisa’s fundraiser boost for cancer charity
Duo raise more than £1600 for Scottish Mountain Rescue in gruelling challenge
Paddleboarding pals Fiona Flanagan and Dave Arcari have completed their collective 112-mile challenge fundraiser for Scottish Mountain Rescue right on cue.
And they’ve also smashed their fundraising target thanks to the generosity of family and friends.
Scottish Mountain Rescue had been challenging people to raise funds by each ‘covering’ 56 miles in May. But Fiona and Dave are the only fundraisers who took up the challenge on stand-up paddleboards – most participants are walking, cycling or running their distance.
As the pair reached the shore after their final paddle on the last day of the challenge on Tuesday,
A charity effort set up by a Killearn Masterchef contestant has been given a mini cash boost from a housing association.
Lisa Addison’s culinary skills were showcased recently as a contestant on the hit BBC TV programme Masterchef earlier this year.
Following her appearance on the show, Lisa then launched a fundraising bid towards a charity in memory of a teenager who died from a rare type of bone cancer.
The 39-year-old is hoping to use her exposure on the series in order to raise some much-needed funds in memory of 14-year-old Yorkshire lad, Frank Ashton, who died from Ewing’s sarcoma. Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare type of cancerous donations stood at an impressive £1658.
“We’re not sure when the donations close, so there may be even more to come,” said Dave. “I think our original fundraising target was £300. When we got close to that figure we upped our target. We had passed the £1000 mark and Fiona said ‘think we can get to £1500?’. I was a little doubtful but we kept things going and smashed that target too.”
Both are self-employed –
Fiona runs a B&B in
Balmaha and Dave is a songwriter and tumour that grows in the bones or the soft tissue around the bones, such as the cartilage or nerves.
Frank was diagnosed with the disease at the age of just 11 in 2016 and the youngster died in September 2019.
Now Rural Stirling Housing Association (RSHA), of which Lisa is a tenant, has served up a mini cash boost for the charity thanks to one of its talented tenants.
The housing association which this week called Lisa “inspirational”has topped up her fundraising efforts for a hugely-worthy charity. She has already raised a remarkable £2310.
RSHA this week topped that up with a £100 donation. RSHA chief touring musician – and part of the challenge is freeing up time to coincide with safe paddling conditions.
While 56-miles each on standup paddleboard in just a month is quite a feat in itself, the real challenge wasn’t the distance.
“Conditions through May weren’t very conducive to paddleboarding,” said Fiona. “Neither of us can remember a May with such executive Donna Birrell said: “We’re deeply impressed by what Lisa has achieved not just in securing an appearance on Masterchef, but on her remarkable fundraising work for charity. Rural Stirling Housing Association is delighted to top up her ongoing fundraising and we are delighted by Lisa’s TV success.”
Lisa said:“i’m now doing food demos and involved in talks about supper clubs at local venues.
“All I hope to do is encourage people and I want kids to look at me and know that anything is possible. I was very lucky to have been chosen to go on the show. I’m absolutely proof anything is possible if you work hard.” poor weather and constant high winds.”
Despite the weather the pals – based on the east side of Loch Lomond – pulled off the challenge.
Summarising their effort Dave added: “We’re delighted to have completed the challenge and raised a good amount of money.
“A big thanks from us both to all who supported us, and in turn are supporting Scottish Mountain Rescue.”
To support Fiona and
Dave’s fundraising for
Scottish Mountain rescue, visit https://virtualevent. scottishmountainrescue.org/t/ fionadavespaddle