Phenomenal outpouring of support for Heather 

AFTER their friend received life altering news a group of Northside ladies decided to create something positive to focus on.

A few months ago, Heather Skinner, a young woman from Malahide, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer.

To show they were fully behind her, and they had her back, nine of her closest girl friends from Swords and Malahide decided to try and raise money for her treatment.

“We wanted to support her and show her some love so put our heads together to see if we could raise €10,000 for Heather’s ongoing medical needs,” her friend Katie Power told Northside People.

“Heather then generously decided that some of the money raised would go to cancer research and St. Francis Hospice.

“So, we decided that for the month of May each of Heather’s nearest and dearest would complete ‘100 miles in May’ and we set up a GoFundMe page.

“The challenge was to complete 100 miles during the month of May by walking or running.

“We wanted to create something positive to focus on, that would raise awareness and support.”

The response to the call from Heather’s dear friends for ‘100 miles in May’ was even bigger than they expected.

“The reaction was amazing and a total testament to the kind of person Heather is,” Katie said.

“We have been taken aback by the phenomenal outpouring of support both locally and internationally for Heather and we are so grateful that over €40,000 was raised.

“Having watched Heather’s video which tells of her journey, which she bravely shared on social media, strangers have messaged Heather to let her know that she has highlighted how they might have been neglecting some symptoms they had and have now booked in to get a colonoscopy which is so wonderful.”

To mark the end of the ‘100 Miles in May’ fundraiser a small picnic was held on Saturday May 29th in Malahide Castle.

Due to covid it was attended by nine of her friends who organised the fundraiser and Heather herself.

“We had a lovely day, and it was great to gather with Heather to mark the end of the fundraiser,” Katie said.

“Undoubtedly, she is an inspirational young woman with an unbreakable spirit.

“At 36, she is going through chemotherapy but has also managed to both raise money for these important causes but also increase awareness of Colorectal cancer which is the second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland with almost 2,500 people diagnosed with it every year.

“She has also done so much to raise awareness about the importance of seeing your doctor should you be experiencing any sinister symptoms.

“Joe Duffy Motors kindly provided a gorgeous Range Rover for Heather to test drive to the picnic event.

“To every person who has contributed to ‘100 Miles in May’, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support and generosity shown with each and every donation.

“You have helped us exceed our target beyond our wildest dreams and the beneficiaries are elated by the news.”