Co Antrim friends raise £11,000 with 24hr walk for Glenarm lad diagnosed with leukaemia

(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.”