Cash-crop cousins cheered

Cousins, Gareth Greenfield and Jordan Wilson, both pupils at Friends’ School, Lisburn, raised the money in two separate events, winning the applause not only of their chosen charity, but of their grandfather, in whose fundraising footsteps they are following.

Well-known Dromore clergyman, the Rev. Sam Peden, minister of First Dromore (Non-Subscribing) Presbyterian Church and Moderator of the Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland, himself the force behind the church’s current charity association with Friends of the Cancer Centre, spoke of his pride in his grandsons.

“I’m very proud of my grandsons for the effort they have put into raising funds surrounding their chosen charity activities,” he said.“It certainly didn’t seem to be a chore for them in any way and it was great to see them both filled with excitement on completion of their challenges.”

Gareth took part in a recent Friends of the Cancer Centre 150ft abseil challenge off Belfast’s Europa Hotel.

“Thanks to his head for heights,” a charity spokesperson said, “he managed to raised £820 of the total from this activity.”

Jordan, meanwhile, raised the other £762 by completing the recent Lap the Lough challenge, an annual not-for-profit cycle around the 85-mile shoreline of the UK and Ireland’s largest lake, Lough Neagh.

Colleen Shaw, Director of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said, “Fundraising may be a serious business but that’s no reason why it shouldn’t be upbeat and enjoyable, as these boys have experienced.

“I am delighted with how much they have raised through these two activities.

“The Friends of the Cancer Centre has been supporting cancer patients and their families, raising money to buy equipment, patient comforts and funding important research for over two and half decades – and the need has not diminished.”