Have you ever been so in awe of someone you just want to share their story with the world? We’d like to introduce you to a hugely inspirational lady, Lynne McNicoll.
At age 49, Lynne decided to do something she had never done before. Having never fundraised, she decided she was going to raise £50,000 for charity by the time she turned 50 the following year. By pushing her own physical and mental boundaries, she smashed it and hit £54,000. Challenge done…or so she thought.
But during her fundraising, Lynne met teenagers going through treatment for cancer and she knew that she wasn’t going to stop until they had a dedicated unit for them in Edinburgh, so the next 3 years were spent tirelessly fund raising to reach this goal, which of course they did.
When most of us would have been ready to take a break, Lynne and her husband decided to take on another challenge. So, in 2010 they set up ‘It’s Good 2 Give!’, a charity with the aim of supporting young cancer patients and their families in Scotland in real and practical ways.
As well as offering day to day support to those impacted by cancer, they operate the Ripple Retreat – a purpose-built, restful, safe place in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park for those young cancer patients and their families. The award-winning Retreat allows families to use it for a short break together away from doctors, procedures, hospitals, and just enjoy their time together. We can only imagine how important this facility is for what must be the most stressful days, months and years of any family’s life.
And now, It’s Good 2 Give! is working to supply Scottish children’s cancer wards with Parent & Teenage packs containing essential items for impromptu visits, which can happen for example when the patient suddenly develops a temperature and needs to visit the ward immediately. It’s Good to Give have also extended this service to cover younger patients or siblings too with a range of essentials to help see them through their stay at the ward, such as baby wipes, children’s toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo etc.
As part of these packs, we are so proud to say that we have donated a supply of Cheeky Chompers Neckerbibs, Neckerchews, Comfortchews and Animal Teethers for little ones who are visiting, whether as a patient or with family. We hope in some small way these packs and our products may make their and their families’ time at the cancer ward a little easier, and hope to do what we can to support this fantastic service in the future.
More than anything though, we want to spread Lynne’s passion for volunteering as widely as possible. Her story and It’s Good 2 Give! have inspired us to think even more this Christmas about supporting others where we can, whether financially or with our time. We hope you feel inspired too!
Visit It’s Good to Give’s! website to find out more about, or donate to this amazing charity.
