East Lancashire Hospice

Schoolgirl's swim raises £1,500 in memory of Dad

A schoolgirl from Blackburn raised over £1,500 after the hospice cared for her Dad.

Megan Fishwick initially set out to raise £100 in memory of her Dad Mark who died the day before her 6th birthday.

Megan soon smashed the £100 mark and aimed for £200. As her total grew she wanted to raise more and more, until she raised in excess of £1,500.

Her Dad Mark was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March 2008 and died in August of the same year. The hospice helped him and his family during this time and provided counselling for Megan and Mum Susan following Mark’s death.

Megan who is a pupil at St Michael’s School in Chorley thought about a swimming challenge as she enjoys the sport but had never swam a mile. She attends swimming classes at Waves each Friday.

The twelve-year-old of Sutton St, Feniscowles said: “The hospice did a lot for my me and my family when my Dad was dying. They made sure that it was easy for my Mum and Dad to tell their 5 year old daughter that her Daddy had cancer and was going to die. Now it’s my turn to help them.”

Mum Susan said her Dad would have approved of Megan’s fundraising idea: “I’m very proud of her as she’s taken it upon herself to come up with the idea to raise funds by swimming. She first mentioned the idea before Christmas and I didn’t want to push her so suggested she waited until the new year to do it. But she’s run with it and I’m just here to support her. The hospice really helped us with Mark and the help continued after he died as we both had counselling which really helped us. Her Dad would be so proud of her. He was a keen swimmer so I think that’s where she gets it from. Mark was very popular so we’ve had brilliant support from everyone.”

She added: “Every milestone I’ve reached has been brilliant. I wanted to raise £100 at first and when I got there it was fantastic. Even the people at Waves have been supportive and have been collecting for me too.”

Hospice fundraiser Kimberley Hall said: “Megan is a very determined young lady who wanted to do something special to remember her Dad and raise much-needed funds for the hospice. We are grateful and proud of her brilliant fundraising efforts which will support our patients and their families.”

Megan’s swim took place on Friday March 13 at the new Blackburn Sport and Leisure Centre. Her online sponsor page is still open for donations at www.­justgiving.­com/­Megan-Fishwick

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