'It's massively important': Derry man to trek Everest for Children's Cancer Unit Charity

A Derry man will trek to Everest Base Camp in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity.

Marc Begley is undertaking the huge feat as the charity holds a special place in his heart.

His partner Aileen’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 15 years old and received chemotherapy treatment.

Five months later, Phoebe entered remission and has been in it ever since.

The now 19-year-old is heading into her second year of university and is “doing well.”

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity is dedicated to supporting the Children's Cancer Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

The charity helps ensure that children and young people diagnosed with cancer, along with their families, receive the highest standard of treatment, care, and emotional support.

Its mission is to make a meaningful and lasting difference throughout every child's cancer journey and helps provide vital resources for the Unit by investing in specialised staff, equipment, research and family support services.

“The wraparound support that they provide is crucial in order for them (children) to make a good recovery,” Marc explained.

Not only does the charity support families and children with a cancer diagnosis, but it is also funding Aileen’s PhD.

Her dissertation is on the psychosocial aspect of a child or young person being diagnosed with cancer, and is nearing completion.

“There is a complete lack of this research in Northern Ireland and in the Republic. When young people aged between 15 and 24 are diagnosed, they need specialist support, they need psychological support, emotional support, they need tailored support. Obviously their education's gonna be disrupted, their employment, fertility, and loads of different branches of their lives are gonna be affected, so it's massively important,” Marc said.

In terms of the trek to Everest Base Camp, Marc says he's “excited.”

He has been training by going on long walks, doing a lot of cross-training and gymming, and hiking up and down Slieve Donard a few times.

However, altitude is not something that can be trained for, and it’s not known how it will affect an individual until they are there.

Marc will be part of a group of 14 heading to Base Camp, which will happen over about 12 days.

He leaves on the 19th of September, meeting the rest of the group at the airport.

It will take about three days of travelling to reach the bottom of Everest, and on that day, the trekking will begin.

“I'm excited to do it, and I'm excited to do it for the charity as well,” Marc said.

He has set up a JustGiving page for those who wish to support the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity and him on the trek.

So far, almost £300 has been raised.

If you would like to support Marc on his journey, you can do so by following the link here.

“No matter how big or small, it goes towards a good charity, and it's massively important,” Marc said.