Eileen's Story

I was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire in 1969. I was the youngest of 3 children. I went to New Farm Primary in Kilmarnock. For as long as I can remember, my Dad was self-employed, usually doing the outdoor markets, so every weekend, I'd be up at the crack of dawn to go to the market.

In 1981 I moved on to the James Hamilton Academy where I left at the age of 16 with 4 o levels. Not knowing what I wanted to do, I went to work with my parent's. By this time we had moved to Ayr and had a new business called Cards Galore. I seemed like a permenant fixture here for the next 18 years.

In April 1993, one of my co-workers suggested that I make up a foursome with her, her boyfriend and his friend. I wasn't so sure. I went along anyway, never thinking that 2 years later, I'd marry my blind date, Shaun. Fours happy years past and I fell pregnant with our 1st baby. Chloe-anne was born in April 2000. She was an angel - hardly ever cried. Three years later our family was complete with the birth of our gorgeous son Ross, in July 2003. Like Chloe-Anne he hardly ever cried, until.........

Ross was diagnosed with cancer in June 2004. Every parent's worst nightmare. Thankfully, our little boy survived, going into remission in April 2005. We received so much support from children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent. Thinking back, I remember having their collecting cans on the counter of the shop, never imagining that I would ever need their support.

It's payback time, I thought. CLIC Sargent helped us so much, I wanted to give them something in return. Yummy Mummy is a national fundraisng event for CLIC Sargent, so I decided this was an ideal opportunity to raise some money for the charity. I organised a coffee morning, with the help of my family and friends. I got such a buzz from this. I wanted to do something esle.

I was still thinking back about Ross being ill - every moment embedded in my memory. I started jotting things on the computer, just a few lines here and there, and I e-mailled it to my dad. He told me to write a bit more. Every so often I'd send it for my dad's approval. Before I knew it, I was finished. My dad said, "Now go and get it published". I hadn't really considered this. I only started writing this to get things off my chest. But I thought " Why not get it published. It may help other families through this horrible nightmare and make a bit of money for charity."

'Ross - A Little Miracle' was launched in May 2006 and so continued my quest to raise as much as I could to help children with cancer. Raising funds for charity was all fine and well but I had to think about my own finances now - think about getting back to work. I really didn't want to leave Ross and I'd spent so long away from Chloe-Anne so I decided to register as a childminder. Working from home, looking after other peoples children and being there for my own children – perfect.

Not long after this, I became a regular at Malcolm Sargent House – a holiday home for children with cancer and their families, owned and run by CLIC Sargent. I became a volunteer fundraiser. I help the fundraising manager at Malcolm Sargent House. I do paperwork from home, empty collecting cans, help organize major fundraising events. Then I was asked to join the Ayrshire Fundraising Committee. In time, with a bit more confidence, I started doing talks to school, women’s guilds etc……

In November 2006 came my biggest fundraiser. My husband, Shaun said that he would run into the sea on Boxing Day to raise money for CLIC Sargent. I thought “You mad man” but before we knew it, Boxing Day had arrived and 120 people lined up on Prestwick shore to run into the the freezing cold Firth of Clyde, helping us raise a massive £12,000. It was such a fantastic fundraiser that we decided to make it an annual event. In 2007 and 2008, we raised £45,000 and £55,000 respectively. This event has now become the talk of the town. Dropping one of my minded kids at nursery one day, I was asked “Are you the Boxing Day Dip Woman”.

People who know me from childhood would remember me as quite a shy person. What a shock they got when I said I was going to take part in a Zipslide for CLIC Sargent. This happened in August 2008, adding to my fundraising total.

Soon after this, in September 2008, I was crowned Ayrshire’s Unsung Hero in the Westsound Community Awards. I was so thrilled, not just for myself, but for the recognition it would give the charity. After all, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?