SSE engineering staff based in West Yorkshire, Perth and Glasgow are taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge in memory of a brave young boy who lost his battle with a rare form of cancer.
Thomas Cammack was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 which spread from his adrenal gland to his skull, bone marrow, blood and pelvis while his parents, Toni and Richard, worked tirelessly trying to raise £500,000 for further treatment in America.
Tragically, despite undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his brain, two days before his fourth birthday, the family were told routine end-of-treatment scans had found further tumours which later resulted in Thomas losing his battle against cancer in April 2012.
Now, two years on and inspired by the bravery of Thomas, the group will climb the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours to raise money in his memory. The challenge will begin on 18 June and will see the group climb, descend and travel to Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales.
SSE employee Luke Varley based at Ferrybridge and who is organising the challenge, said:
“It speaks volumes about the effect Thomas has had on everyone that now two years on we have colleagues from all over the country willing to attempt this challenge. It will be tough but with Thomas as our inspiration we hope to raise plenty of money to help fight this terrible disease.”
The group has already successfully raised more than £8,000 of their £10,000 fundraising target but is asking for as much help as possible to raise money to fight Neuroblastoma and would welcome any donations to www.justgiving.com/UK3Peaks-ThomasMemorial
All the funds raised will be pledged to the Thomas Cammack Memorial Fund which is managed and utilised by the registered charity FAN (Families Against Neuroblastoma).
SSE employees taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge are: Neil Connolly, Gregor Gibb, Robin Macintyre, Andy Scott, Russ Fraser, Ollie Abell, Luke Varley, Ion Muyziere, Stuart Pagett, Gary Robinson, Marc Rudd from Ferrybridge Power Station; Dave Colston, Janet Lees, James MacArthur and Juilan Miles from Glasgow and Ronnie Glen, Katy Burke and Paul Kieran from Perth.