Local woman to walk on fire and glass to raise money for cancer centre

A FROME woman is set to face her fears by taking part in The Forever Friends Appeal’s “Fire & Ice Walk” in memory of her father who died in 2005 from a brain tumour.

Rebecca Harrison will walk over 15ft of crushed glass, followed by a path of embers smoldering at over 800 degrees, on Sunday 5th March, to raise money for the RUH Cancer Care Campaign and also to thank oncology staff at the RUH for the amazing care of her late father, Kevin Harrison.

The Forever Friends Appeal is the primary charity for the RUH, whose RUH Cancer Care Campaign is currently raising a minimum of £8.5million towards the build of an exceptional new cancer centre at the hospital.

Rebecca explains, “My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2005, just a few weeks after his 50th birthday. He received radiotherapy treatment at the RUH which is where he was also cared for after contracting an infection. Sadly this proved too much for his body to cope with. My dad died on the 28th December 2005 aged 50, at the RUH.

“The care given to both my dad and my family at the RUH was outstanding. We knew that he was dying and were at the hospital for several hours; during this time, the nurses made us drinks, gave us biscuits and looked after dad so we could all be there together when he died. I remember the hugs the nurses gave, they meant a lot.”

Rebecca last supported the appeal in 2015, when she took part in the charity’s first Firewalk and raised over £300 for the RUH Cancer Care Campaign. Rebecca says, “I decided to take part in the firewalk as it was held in March; Dad would have been 60 in 2015 so I did the walk for him and to raise money for an amazing hospital ward, where the staff always help to keep the spirits up of patients and families and to give them the best.”

The Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign has now raised £7.6million towards its minimum £8.5million target, which will contribute vital funds to the building of a pioneering new cancer centre at Bath’s Royal United Hospital, whose staff provided care for Rebecca’s father during his treatment.

In 2017, there is a special twist to the annual firewalk – glass walking! Their new ‘Fire & Ice Walk’ is not for the faint hearted and will challenge participants to walk barefoot on razor-sharp pieces of broken glass, before heading over to brave a path of red-hot coals.

Emily Lynch, events officer from the appeal said,  “We are so grateful to Rebecca for braving the blaze and conquering the cold in support of the RUH Cancer Care Campaign. We’re now looking for other brave individuals to join us and Rebecca for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to help transform patient care at the RUH.”

The Forever Friends Appeal’s Fire & Ice event is being organized by Survivorbility, experts in fire and glass walking. The entry fee for the event is £30 and all entrants are expected to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship towards the Cancer Care Campaign, or an RUH ward or department of their choice.

Rebecca added, “Why am I taking part again this year? I want to continue to help improve the lives of cancer patients and their families by helping to fund a fantastic new centre.

“One thing I have learnt is that life can be short and that it can be scary, which is why it’s good to challenge yourself! When things are tough, you can turn around and say, “If I can walk on fire and glass, I can do anything!”

If you would like to join Rebecca and take part in the Fire & Ice Walk there are still places left. Sign up online at www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or call 01225 821535 for more information.