Dundonald father of three, Simon Vance is taking on a tall challenge this summer when he will climb Northern Ireland’s highest mountain, Slieve Donard on 13th August along with more than thirty friends and colleagues to raise money for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Simon, who works at Bombardier in Newtownabbey, has recruited an eager group of fellow Bombardier staff and friends to undertake the2,789 ft, five and a half hour challenge through the Mourne Mountains to raise vital funds for the charity that has done so much to help him and his family since his son Todd was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in February 2010 aged just eight years old. We spoke to Simon about the trek and found out a bit more about the motivation behind it.

“Before Todd was formally diagnosed, we didn’t really have much support- we had so many questions and concerns, but felt a bit isolated. But when a biopsy revealed that Todd’s tumour was malignant, the door suddenly opened to a new support network in the form of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. We were first introduced to the charity by our social worker in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and one of the Family Co-ordinators, Angela, came out to the house to introduce herself and talk about how NICFC could help our whole family. It was such a relief to know there was support there for us after such an uncertain time.”

He continued: “NICFC helps out on so many levels, both financially and emotionally. One of the charity’s Youth Workers, Phil spends time with Todd on a one-to-one basis, which is fantastic. They chat and do all sorts of fun things and often he goes along to activities with other children. We also have two other sons- Cameron is 15 and Carter is 2- so NICFC supports them as well, helping them to forget about Todd’s illness for a while and just be kids again. Cameron has got involved in the Youth Programme and Carol, our Family Support Worker also comes to the house every week and looks after Todd and Carter for a while to give my wife and I some time to ourselves- even if it’s just to do the shopping or get a rest; it makes such a difference.

Simon and his wife Ellen have become part of the wider NICFC family since Todd was diagnosed and they now organise regular fundraising events. Ellen was one of the ten parents who took part in the Everyday Amazing campaign. “When we realised how special NICFC was and how much they do to help local kids and families in Northern Ireland every week, we decided we wanted to give something back and organise a fundraiser. That was the start of it and we’ve just kept on going. With the help of our family and friends we have raised quite a bit so far and our eldest son Cameron has played a big part, raising over £2000 by shaving off all his hair!

“We have found fundraising for NICFC such a rewarding experience and we will definitely continue to raise as much money as possible for the foreseeable future. The staff make you feel so welcome and the fundraising team are so helpful- they do everything they can to help our events run smoothly; we have them tortured every week for one thing or another!

When asked what advice he would have for anyone thinking about fundraising for NICFC, Simon said

“I would encourage anyone who is looking for a charity to support, to consider the NICFC. It is a local charity and all funds raised stay in Northern Ireland to help families like ours who need support when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Without this great charity, our family life would have suffered- all of us needed support in different ways and I’m glad that we have them to support us.”

Simon is looking forward to spending Father’s Day with his family and they’re off to the National Trust’s Vehicles of Yesteryear event at Mount Stewart. Simon plans to start his training for the Slieve Donard trek after Father’s Day and get the whole family involved in long walks. But first he intends to enjoy all the chocolates he’ll be getting for Father’s Day!

If you’ve been inspired by Simon’s story and want to take part in a similar fundraising event, Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children is calling on the public to join them in their annual Slieve Donard Trek on Sunday 28th August. To sign up to this event to support children, teenagers and young adults in Nothern Ireland living with cancer, please call 028 90805599 or email fundraising@nicfc.com

Updated on: 20th June, 2011