I’ll be honest with you: there aren’t many emails that ping into my inbox and instantly catch my full attention. Some of them are marked as important, ready for a read later, others are instantly cast into the black hole that is my ‘actioned’ folder.
However, when Issy Maclay’s father, James, sent me over the story about his daughter – who is currently 5,150 metres high on her second time climbing the equivalent of Everest, the highest mountain in the world, using her stairs at home, or cycling up her local hill – it instantly brought a smile to my face.
Thirteen-year-old Issy is on the final push – the Hillary Step, if you like – to climb the height of Everest twice, all in aid of Southampton Hospital Charity. James was diagnosed with and treated for a brain tumour five years ago by Southampton Hospital and the team still continue to provide care for James to this day.
Writing in her blog, Issy said: “Southampton Hospital have done so much for my Dad by looking after him with his brain tumour. I am raising this money to thank all the doctors, surgeons and the nurses that have helped and cared for him.” And what a job she’s doing, as she’s smashed her initial target of £8,848 (the height of Everest) – Issy’s JustGiving page is currently sitting at £10,852, with her new goal set to reach £12,000.
https://t.co/CflINCeqdX Issy Maclay what a hero and what a wonderful family – praying for you James and for all of you, strength and courage. You’re amazing…. #NeverGiveUp
— Bear Grylls (@BearGrylls) May 24, 2020
And as though the Maclay family weren’t doing enough charitable efforts, James’ son Oscar is planning to cycle the length of the UK, from Lands End to John O’Groats (once we restrictions allow), for Brain Tumour Action, Brain Tumour Research and The Brain Tumour Charity. You can take a look at Oscar’s JustGiving page here.
If you’d like to donate to Issy’s cause, then you can do so through her JustGiving page here.
