Hop, skip and jump in the battle against cancer

Oct 8 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TWO intrepid friends and work colleagues are preparing to hop, skip and jump for three cancer charities.

And while tackling their fundraising-with-a-difference, both women will be striving to overcome their own personal fears.

Maxine Coghill (36), originally from Perth and now living in Bridge of Earn, and Gillian Hunter (35), from Leven in Fife have never attempted anything like this before.

But, like so many people, cancer has had a devastating impact on them and their families. So they will be hopping into a tank of sharks, skipping over red hot coals, and jumping out of a plane at 1200 feet later this month.

“We’re two friends who work together at Fife Constabulary and decided to do something a bit different to raise funds for some very good causes,” explained mum-of-two Maxine.

“Gillian lost her aunt to cancer this summer and my aunt is currently undergoing treatment in her battle against cancer.

“In June I was helping at the pink ribbon walk at Scone Palace and it felt good to be involved in helping others, and then my idea of doing a hop, skip and jump just appeared.

“We’ve had great support so far from our families, friends and work colleagues, in fact our husbands are paying to have us thrown out of a plane!”

This Fife Airport skydive presents Maxine with a massive personal challenge.

“I’m terrified of flying so getting in a plane will be a massive challenge, let alone throwing myself out of one,” she admitted.

“I suppose on a positive note, this will either cure my phobia or mean we’ll have a few years of local camping trips ahead!

“The hop is Gillian’s personal challenge. It will involve us hopping into a tank of sharks at Deep Sea World.

“Gillian won’t even get in the sea for fear of the little fishes coming near her, so the size of these 12ft ‘fish’ with big teeth are a terrifying thought.”

The skip fund-raiser involves ‘skipping’ over red hot coals at an Edinburgh venue.

“It was difficult to decide which of the many cancer charities we would like to raise money for, so for each event we will raise money for a specific charity,” continued Maxine.

“The hop into a tank of sharks on October 17 will go to children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, which provides clinical, practical and emotional support to help as many children and young people as possible survive cancer and make the most of their lives.

“Proceeds from the fire walk on October 29 will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. Neither of us are sure what to expect from this challenge, but we’re both quietly nervous about the potential dangers.

“The jump is weather dependant but we hope it will be on October 30. Proceeds will go to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

“I chose this charity because of my aunt’s current battle. It is a pioneering charity saving lives and changing futures through research, campaigning and education.

“For all the challenges we’ll be wearing pink, where practical.”

To sponsor the pair, who hope to raise at least £2000, go to http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/hopskipjump