Zipline cancer charity challenge

A Larne woman who is '˜petrified of heights' will zipline over the Lagan to fundraise for a cancer charity in memory of her late best friend.
L-R Debbi Britton with her late best friend, Margaret Allan. INLT-11-704-conL-R Debbi Britton with her late best friend, Margaret Allan. INLT-11-704-con
L-R Debbi Britton with her late best friend, Margaret Allan. INLT-11-704-con

Debbi Britton and Margaret Allan were best friends for 15 years before Margaret passed away from breast cancer just over a year ago.

Debbi says that she has decided to pick the “most challenging” means of fundraising for Action Cancer as a tribute to Margaret’s bravery.

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“When Margaret was diagnosed she underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was told before she died that the treatment wasn’t going to work but she fought on with a big smile on her face,” Debbi told the Times.

“I got to know her as we were neighbours and we lived in the same street.

“She was mad but we were both mad, that’s why we got on so well!

“Margaret always gave 100 per cent to life.

“If the situation had been reversed she would be doing the same for me.”

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While Debbi is determined to go through with the challenge, she admits that it is a daunting prospect.

“I will be 30 feet up in the air over the river Lagan, and I have a fear of heights and dark water!” she laughed.

“When I told people i wanted to do the zipline my fiance and son thought it was great and my son wanted to do it too, but he’s only 14!

“Other people were shocked that I was going to do something like this, but I think it is good to have a target to focus on when you have lost someone.

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“So far I have raised around £200, and I want to raise as much as possible for Action Cancer, at least £500.”

Margaret’s sister Marelle Laverty and sister-in-law Naomi Laverty said they wished Debbi luck with the challenge.

“We would like to thank Debbi for her efforts and for confronting her fears to do this challenge,” said Naomi.

“We have held other fundraising events for Margaret and this zipline challenge will be a good way to remember her.

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“Anything which helps to raise money for cancer charities is for a brilliant cause.

“We would like to ask local people to support Debbi and donate to help her raise money for Action Cancer.”

To donate to support Debbi’s challenge, visit the ‘Deborah’s Zipline Across The Lagan page’ on Justgiving.com.

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