Brave Fiona's cancer battle inspires £50k charity drive
Kirsty Gibbins • Published 16 Feb 2012 09:30
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A BUBBLY Fiona (right) with close friend Katie Yarrow. Fiona died in November after battling cancer
Fiona (back row, second from left) with friends Katie and Lucy Yarrow, Lucy Mackay, Merina Henderson, Camilla Gobourn and Honor Dalrymple.
THE courage of a Gullane teenager whose future was "swept away" when she lost her fight against cancer has inspired a £50,000 fundraising campaign in her memory.
On June 30, more than 20 people will take on the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust's East of Scotland Appeal, which includes plans for a £1.6 million unit at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh for young people aged 17 to 24.
The fundraising event, which has already gained more than £10,000 in donations, has been organised by friends of Fiona Walker, who passed away aged just 19 at her home on November 27 last year.
A former pupil of Gullane Primary, who also attended Belhaven Hill School in Dunbar, Fiona was a regular visitor to the Western as she underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, after being diagnosed in early 2011 with a glioblastoma of the central nervous system - one of the most aggressive forms of malignant tumour.
Fiona's mother, Dr Claire Walker, told the Courier: "It was terrible. It was the last term of her last year of school and she had a bit of numbness in her leg. I'm a GP so I examined her and knew something was amiss.
"I took her to a doctor and for about six months we didn't know what was wrong. They thought it was MS and then they saw something in a scan."
Scans showed an abnormality in Fiona's spinal cord. It was not until there was evidence of a growth on the outer part of the cord that a biopsy could be safely conducted in early 2011, which confirmed that she had a malignant tumour.
Fiona, who was head girl at the prestigious Glenalmond College in Perth and had been accepted to study product design and marketing at Leeds University before falling ill, was eventually unable to walk without using a zimmer as her health deteriorated.
"She was such a character, always active, always outgoing," said Claire, 50, who's also mother to Fiona's younger sister Patricia, 17, and older brother Angus, 21.
"She was always on the move. She loved life. It was just so awful because she was so ready to leave school and try new things. Actually I don't think she ever really wanted to be a child, she didn't like authority much, which is why it was so funny when she became head girl, and she was always very much her own person."
A lover of all different kinds of sports, though she particularly enjoyed hockey and skiing, Fiona and her mum were frequent visitors to the Mercat Gait swimming pool in Prestonpans throughout her illness.
Claire, who gave up working at her practice in Bonnyrigg to be Fiona's full-time carer, also praised the dedication of local health service workers who supported her daughter as she fought her illness.
"It was a very emotional time, watching as her future was just swept away," said Claire.
Fiona's condition took a turn for the worse when she suffered a seizure and lost consciousness about 10 days before she died. She regained consciousness for about 48 hours before slipping away five days later.
Norman Yarrow, who is a childhood friend of Fiona's father, Tom, and whose family is very close to the Walkers, is the chief organiser of the June 30 challenge, which involves conquering the highest summits in Scotland, England and Wales.
Mr Yarrow, a father-of-three from Gifford, decided to organise the fundraiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust before Fiona passed away, and the teenager had been supportive of the plans.
Expected to begin construction this year, the new unit at the Western will have inpatient and outpatient beds, plasma TVs, computers, and games in order to create a more relaxing environment for young people with cancer and their families.
As well as building the teen-friendly ward, the trust - which currently has one unit at the Sick Kids' Hospital in Edinburgh for young people aged 13-16 - also aims to raise enough cash to fund specialist clinical staff.
Claire welcomed the appeal, saying: "There wasn't anything available at all to Fiona when she was receiving treatment at the Western. It was really grim because most of the other patients are older and there was nothing to distract from what they were going through. But the appeal will mean the Trust can help others and I know it will make a difference.
"And it's not just about having an area where they can have a bit of space or play computer games. There are some staff who just can't talk to teenagers and it would be good if there were people available who were specially trained in dealing with young people of Fiona's age."
As well as the Three Peaks event, Fiona's former boyfriend Jock Brooke and close friend Iona Walker have already raised nearly £40,000 for the charity by vowing to completing the epic Highlands and Islands Challenge on June 28.
Mr Yarrow, an investment manager who was best man at Tom and Claire's wedding, told the Courier: "Fiona was such a lovely girl. She lived life to the full and we wanted to support the trust in a way that would honour her memory.
"Fiona kept her sense of humour and rarely complained despite many trips to hospital undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She was an example to us all."
Norman's wife Carol, who is also taking part alongside the couple's son Richard, added: "Fiona was a wonderful spirited girl and she has left a big hole in many people's lives."
Supporters of the challenge are also planning events in the run-up to June to contribute to the final fundraising total.
The team, which comprises members from East Lothian and Edinburgh, has been participating in training sessions at a number of Lothian peaks, including the Pentland Hills.
Alan Fortune, of Fortune Taxis in Gifford, is kindly providing a minibus and himself as a driver to help with the transport between each of the peaks.
Louise Stirton, the Trust's regional fundraiser for the East of Scotland, told the Courier: "We're absolutely delighted with the level of support that Fiona's family and friends are contributing to our cause and it's been a privilege to work with them on their plans.
"It's very sad that Fiona's family and friends have lost someone so inspiring, and I hope that they can take comfort from doing this amazing act in her memory."
To make a donation visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/fionaswalkers
This article appeared in East Lothian Courier 16 Feb 12
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