Volunteer dedicates birthday party to Macmillan

Kath Boyd, Flora O'Dea (Macmillan nurse), Susan Sutherland (Services Development Manager - North Scotland)

One dedicated Banchory volunteer raised over £1,000 at her recent birthday party as a thank you for the help she has received from Macmillan over the years. 

Kath Boyd, a volunteer at Macmillan funded, Roxburghe House, initially organised the party as a thank you for the support of family and friends throughout her treatment for cancer, however it was pure coincidence that the only date available was her birthday. Kath wanted to keep the fact it was her birthday a secret, however husband Ed was having none of it and spread the word. Kath said:

'It was a wonderful night, I just 'let my hair down' and thoroughly enjoyed it and danced all evening.'

Working as a volunteer at Roxburghe House, a purpose built palliative care centre, Kath was used to dealing with cancer on a daily basis, however she never expected she would soon be making use of Macmillan’s services herself. Now on the road to recovery Kath put all of her effort into raising £1,171 for Macmillan by asking family and friends to donate money during her birthday celebrations. Kath said:

'I chose to help MacMillan for various reasons.  I think it is important that patients, if possible, can be at home with their family and getting the support from MacMillan, as I did. I also know many of the MacMillan staff through my voluntary work at Roxburghe House, which I have done for a total of 7 years.'

One kind friend also offered an antique chair to be auctioned at the party. Macmillan Nurse and auctioneer for the evening, Flora O'Dea, managed to sell the chair for £360, bringing the grand total to a brilliant £1,171.