Stephanie conquers Ben Nevis for Friends of The Cancer Centre

Stephanie Beattie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2015 and after receiving treatment at the Cancer Centre she recovered well enough to embark on a major fundraising drive in June this year.

To do this, Stephanie enlisted two of her friends, Rhonda Morris and Cherith Simpson and put on their walking boots to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland.

The trio trained for the mammoth task by going on long distance walks and climbing the Mourne Mountains.

On the day of the climb, the sun shone brightly and the group started the five mile zigzag path to the summit of Ben Nevis.

Commenting on what motivated the fundraising drive, Stephanie said: “Friends of the Cancer Centre make the Cancer Centre a pleasant place for both patients and their families.

“I am so pleased to be able to support this great charity which makes such a difference to people during their most vulnerable times.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported our fundraising efforts,” Stephanie added.

Friends of the Cancer Centre, based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, is one of the leading cancer charities in Northern Ireland working to support cancer patients and their families through key projects in the areas of clinical care, patient comforts, and research.

Friends of the Cancer Centre is currently funding 28 additional staff in the Cancer Centre, including doctors, nurses and researchers and the charity is committed to raising at least £5 million over the next three years to fund on-going and new projects which will continue to support local cancer patients.

Fundraising Manager for Friends of the Cancer Centre, Claire Hogarth, described Stephanie as “an inspiration”.

She said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stephanie and her friends for their fantastic support. Stephanie is such an inspiration and she and her friends have done exceptionally well in raising so much money for Friends of the Cancer Centre.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who supported their fundraising efforts.

“The money raised will make a very big difference to the lives of patients and their families right across Northern Ireland,” Claire added.

If you would like to find out more about the Friends of the Cancer Centre or get involved with fundraising for the charity then log on to www.friendsofthecancercentre.com/fundraise