Up The Farway Tree

In Memory of Margaret

I wanted to share a link to a fundraising walk that my best buds brother is doing next weekend.  It's a night time marathon for Cancer Research and is in memory of their mum, Margaret Gilchrist.

Margaret sadly lost her battle with cancer less than two weeks ago, very suddenly, having initially responded well to treatment last year.   It has been devastating for her beautiful family of five daughters, a son and her husband.  She was one of the most selfless and thoughtful people I have ever met.

I used to go round to Claire's house every week when we were at school.  We had decided to join a badminton club - not really to play, but to sit about and chat!  So it seemed necessary for me to go to Claire's house straight from school, have dinner with them and then Claire's dad or brother would drive us to the club.  I only lived 5 minutes car drive away so I am not sure why this seemed so necessary!  Given the size of the family I am not sure how they squeezed me round the table, but it never seemed to be an issue.    We always knew that if Claire's mum or my mum said we were allowed to do something, then the other would also agree.   When we were older and at university, we used to have these phone calls about various dilemmas.  It would often end with 'ok, you phone your mum and I'll phone mine, and see what they say'.  We would then discuss their advice, which was inevitably the same.

Claire's mum has supported every charity event I have had - even joining us on the team Jac walk after my transplant.  She was one of those people who always remembers your birthday and every important date.  She wrote my anniversary card and had it posted the day she died.  I will treasure that card for ever.  That really sums up the kind of person she was.  I am sure she will be looking down on the whole family and will always be proud. 

If you want to support this fab family and give to a great cause, here is the link:

Brians Walk