Co Antrim friends raise £11,000 with 24hr walk for Glenarm lad diagnosed with leukaemia
- Mar 13, 2022
- 2 min read
(L-R) Samantha Mellon and Jamie Abram
Two County Antrim friends have raised almost £11,000 by undertaking a gruelling 24 hour walk covering 65 miles, in aid of a Glenarm lad diagnosed with leukaemia.
Jamie Abram and Samantha Mellon both wanted to help the local family after 7-year-old Harry Simpson received the shock diagnosis. Harry’s parents were advised by medical professionals that young Harry would need to travel to England for a bone marrow transplant.
Seven-year-old Harry Simpson
Friends Jamie and Samantha decided to raise funds in the hope of easing any financial pressures on the family during a very challenging time.
The girls set off on 11 February from Glenarm bridge on a route that would take them to Ballymena, then onwards to Larne, before making their way along the coast to arrive back at the starting point 24 hours later.
(L-R) Samantha and Jamie on their 65 mile walk.
Commenting on the amazing effort, Jamie said:
“We covered 65 miles during our walk! Throughout the walk people from the local communities of Glenarm and Carnlough joined us to keep us going.
“It was a tough walk with tough conditions during the night, but was a worthy cause for Harry, and we managed to raise £10,926.05!
(L-R) Harry Simpson, Samantha Mellon, Jamie Abram and Hannah Simpson.
On top of the fabulous amount raised by Jamie and Samantha, local lady Frances Wilson helped to organise a fundraising coffee morning on the 8th and 9th March in
Glenarm Community Centre. Along with treats and a raffle a further £7450 was raised.
(L-R) Mona Hyndman and Frances Wilson during a fundraising coffee morning and raffle at Glenarm Community Centre.
All-in-all, the generous East Antrim community raised £18,376.05 in a tremendous effort.
Jamie concluded:
“We really want to thank everyone for their kindness and for getting behind us. We appreciated all the donations - everyone was very generous. We know the money raised will make a difference for Harry and his family. Thank you.”
