In October, Laura Jardine will climb Kilimanjaro for Tenovus Cancer Care, a charity and challenge close to her heart.
Laura had volunteered for Tenovus for a number of years and found herself wanting to champion the charity because of the amazing things it does for not only those who suffer with cancer, but also their families. The charity supports people in a variety of ways, including, chemotherapy mobile units for those unable to get to hospitals, counselling, research, choirs, nurse call back services and a 365 day a year cancer support line for cancer patients and their families in the UK.
“There are a couple of reasons I decided to do the challenge really. I’m proud to support a charity that offers amazing things such as a 365 day a year support line with trained nurses and counsellors and their chemo units which help those in remote places have chemo when they can’t get to a hospital, and of course it’s Welsh! Tenovus is working so hard to help tackle cancer, whilst supporting those who are affected by it.”
“I’ve also been a bit obsessed with Africa for as long as I can remember, largely due to the Lion King, but also my mother had links through her work while I was growing up. I like to throw myself into big challenges and signed up the year I turned 30 and it will definitely be my biggest challenge yet!”
In order to complete the trek, and fulfil the charity’s minimum requirements for the climb, Laura need to raise a total of £4,100. To achieve this, she’s looking for sponsorship from family and friends, seeking corporate sponsorship and running a series of events.
Laura wonders if there is anything the community of Splott would like to help her with in terms of fundraising, such as event organisation, generating ideas or holding fundraising events themselves. She’s happy to talk at any community clubs/groups before and after her trip.
“Fundraising plans are still being confirmed. I’ve held on quiz event previously and had lots of raffles, as I’ve been really lucky enough to be supported by a number of Welsh businesses. I’m always on the lookout for ways to link up with local businesses and get sponsors or hold fundraisers and would love ways to work with our community in Splott too. I’m also planning to go to a car boot (we do have an excellent one in Splott!), bucket collect and will finalise a few more events.”
Inksplott asked Laura how she was training for the big event. She said:
Laura (right) and Emily (left)
“In terms of my training, I try to get a hill/mountain walk most weekends (working around the rugby at the moment!), I’ve gone on a few of those with Tiger Bay Ramblers who are a South Wales based walking group and also friends. Including Emily, who’s in the picture with me, who is an excellent support because she loves mountain walking, has great kit knowledge and is also a big supporter of Tenovus as unfortunately her family was touched by cancer and lost someone in the last year. She has also made loads of cakes for some bake sales I’ve held in work. I’m also trying to get my general fitness up through running, fitness DVDs and also improving my strength through some aerial hoop classes.”
“Part of my general fitness training will be attempting to learn to swim, for which I hope to use the STAR Hub!”
Laura, 30, who is originally from Pontypridd but lived in Cardiff since she was 17, moved to Splott six months ago and loves the sense of community and pride. She decided to move to Splott because it’s really central and affordable. Laura told Inksplott:
“Splott has some really affordable gems of places to live, businesses and everyone I bump into is really friendly which reminds me of Valleys life!”
Tenovus Cancer Care is a Wales’ leading cancer charity working to help those affected by cancer by offering support, advice and treatment to cancer patients and their loved ones. They also promote healthy lifestyles and fund cancer research to find new ways to prevent it, diagnose it, and treat it.
If you would like any further information on the challenge or Tenovus Cancer Care, please see Laura’s justgiving page.
Tenovus Cancer Care is a registered charity and its registered charity number is 1054015.
For more information on Tenovus, view their website.
The Brecon Beacons from Pen-Y-Fan