Fundraising for Port of Leith Distillery Abseil

Since being diagnosed in 2017 is safe to say that Cameron has been one of the strongest motivators to stay strong no matter what has been thrown at me. 

When Cammy was 4  I thought my days would be full of nursery / school pick ups, helping at school trips and having play dates. How different the reality was but as a wee family we tried so hard to normalise the situation and to give Cammy security and stability. Play dates took place in my hospital room, we laughed together, played games and read stories. The kitchen team at Spire treated Cameron like royalty cooking up whatever he requested for his dinner whilst the nurses became experts at dinosaurs (his fad at that time!). 

On returning home, not many people were privy to the initial reality, days were spent in bed unable to wash, eat or move without help. Grandparents and close friends rallied around and my sole focus was building enough strength for 'Cammy time' that hour after school / activities that Euan or my parents helped me to sit up in bed or get down stairs to spend time together. Each day I treasured, each smile or laugh from my boy spurred on that determination.

The night before Cammy's 5th birthday party my hair fell out thanks to chemo. I was broken physically and mentally but did that stop us hosting the most awesome and maybe aptly themed that year 'superhero' party for him? Did it heck. Wearing the most ridiculous blonde wig that I found in the attic from show, we bundled me into my wheelchair and made it happen. Getting 'selfies' with the 'real' hulk with one of the superheros we had booked for the party my heart was broken but my proud mum smile said it all. 

As the years progressed, hospital visits, surgeries and admissions continued to be the 'norm', holidays became even more important than ever before. Mainly armed with the back up of grandparents travelling with us to support us all physically and mentally we didn't let life stand still. 'Team Fleming' started as a silly hashtag on a holiday photo but it's so much more to us than that. It's become our way of life. Standing strong together no matter what. 

From standing shaking buckets and hilariously 'twerking' on Sauchiehall Street aged 4 as the first fundraising effort for Make 2nds Count, rallying primary one pals and their families to walk the 'Wee Wander' as part of the Kiltwalk for his mum, coming with us to countless charity events, campaign shoots and of course now creating his own legacy with the launch of 'Cammy's Chill Zone' as a space for young people to connect in The House of Hope. 

As a family we don't shy away from adrenaline and adventure. We've raced sleds led by husky dogs in Lapland, twisted and turned on rollercoasters all over the world, zip lined across Haiti in Hawaii and now Cameron and I will take on an adventure of new heights together!

On May 10th we will be abseiling 131 ft down The Port of Leith Distillery in aid of The House of Hope. 

I won't lie I am delighted that Cameron is bigger and stronger than me now as he might be carrying me up to the top and holding my hand before we let slip from the top! 

As a stage 4 cancer patient I am putting myself out there physically but I want to give cancer the big FU and prove what you can do if you but your mind to it. I can't think of anyone I would rather be doing this with than my boy.

Euan has very kindly offered to take one for the team and hold the jackets at the bottom - what a gent! :)

We need to raise a minimum of £500 and anything that you can donate not matter what amount would mean the world to Cammy and I as we want to raise (and smash! our target.