Love and Light for Lucy’s Fight
BY ALEX TIGANI
Singleton real estate agent Lorna Hickson was on the front foot last month.
Inspired by her friends Pat and Sarah Galvin, and their brave four-year-old daughter Lucy, Lorna has participated in the ‘86K For a Cure’ challenge for the Children’s Cancer Institute.
It was March last year that Pat and Sarah received news that no parent ever wants to hear. Lucy had a rare cancer and intense treatment needed to start straight away.
“The last 12 months have been torturous for little Lucy, probably the biggest issue is that children suffering cancer are given drugs designed for adults,” Lorna told The Hunter River Times.
Despite a busy working schedule and raising two children, Lorna took up the challenge of running 86km in March.
This was in honour of the 86 children diagnosed with cancer in Australia each month.
“Lucy was given a 15-30% chance of surviving the next five years,” she added.
“We had to get involved to support Lucy, her parents and other Australia families facing the same battle.
“She has an older sister, who is doing a fun run at school, and a little brother but their mum is in hospital all the time, so you also feel for the siblings because everything else is on the back burner.”
Lorna and partner Trevor Black quickly passed their first goal of raising $1000 and so upped the ante.
She has been spotted around the region sporting her iconic green shirt, participating in Parkrun events held in Singleton, Laurieton and even extended her campaign by an extra day when running at the Galston Parkrun on Saturday morning.
It made for fulfilling way of celebrating her 15th work anniversary for Peter Dunn Real Estate, also on Friday, March 31.
Partner Trevor and children Louie, 6, and Elsie, 3, have also been a great support.
Louie has raised a portion of the funds so far by collecting cans and bottles.
“Louie raided his money box on day one and was asking us to work more so we can earn more for Lucy, so we did a few locations, and he has been collecting cans with his dad,” she concluded.
“One Saturday, they took the cans to the Return and Earn and Quality Care were there.
“Two of the girls, Tomeeka and Lizzy were saving for some holiday money and they ended up giving it to Louie.”
The Hickson-Black family have so far raised $15,826 for the Love and Light for Lucy’s Fight fundraiser and are still taking donations over Easter. They have even had people donate their Easter egg money and have been thankful for sponsors who came from far and wide (including England and Ireland) with local donors making up a majority of the contributions.
You can donate by visiting: ccia.org.au/fundraisers/lornahickson/86k-for-a-cure