CLAN Cancer Support

When Mark Taylor volunteers for CLAN Cancer Support at its Landmark Walk next month, it will mark five years of providing countless hours of his time in support of the popular north-east charity.

The Aberdeen man’s association with CLAN began in 2010 when, along with his colleague Peter Richard, he held a fundraising race night in memory of friend and fellow Panalpina employee, Charlie ‘Chimp’ Stott who passed away from cancer aged just 30 years-old.

Charlie had been a client of CLAN and it was decided that a proportion of the money raised on the night would go towards a memorial bench within the charity’s garden so that his two children and wife would have somewhere special to remember him.

Mark’s colleague Peter moved overseas but his fundraising bug continued to grow and he partnered with his friend Louise Dunbar to continue running a range of fundraising events in aid of CLAN.

From darts nights to discos, to bands nights and balls, all backed by generous support from Aberdeen company CP Cases, the pair have helped raise more than £25,000 for the north-east cancer support charity.

And with future events in the pipeline, including a darts exhibition in Aberdeen at the end of August, this total looks set to increase even further, helping Mark and his loyal group of supporters give something back to the charity that cared for his friend.

Mark Taylor said: “Five years ago, we lost a close colleague at Panalpina, Charlie Stott, to cancer. It was devastating news as Charlie was a real big part of the business. We decided to hold an event in his honour and we knew that he and his family had been looked after by CLAN. We held a race night and it was fantastic, raising nearly £6,500 for the charity.

“I really enjoyed the organising element of the event, so much so that I haven’t really looked back since. Along with my friend Louise and CP Cases, we’ve raised nearly £25,000 for CLAN through a range of events across the city. I’m a bit of a darts fanatic so those are always great to put on.

“The support we’ve had from people who knew Charlie and who have got to know us over the years has been fantastic. It’s been our way of saying thank you to CLAN for its support of Charlie but we’ve enjoyed the fundraising so much, that it’s become difficult to stop.”

Not content with simply fundraising for the charity, Mark has also been a loyal volunteer at CLAN in recent years and is probably best known for donning the famous rabbit costume of the charity’s own mascot, CLANCY.

Appearing at events on behalf of the charity across the north and north-east of Scotland, Mark will again be present at next month’s Landmark Walk, which will see hundreds of participants walk in support of the charity on September, 27.

Featuring two routes of 13 or 7.8 miles, walkers will take in a range of iconic spots and landmarks throughout the city during the event, which last year raised over £50,000.

CLAN depends on the help of over 300 marshals to man the route and help with water stations as without this support, the event, which is one of the charity’s biggest fundraisers of the year, just simply wouldn’t be able to take place.

Mark added: “The Landmark Walk has been a fantastic addition to CLAN’s fundraising calendar and I’m delighted to be heading back this year as CLANCY to give a helping hand and some encouragement to all those taking part.

“Volunteering is a massive part of the charity and it’s something that I really enjoy doing. After learning about the charity and the work it does through Charlie, I saw first-hand the difference it makes to people’s lives so I immediately wanted to do more to help.

“If you have some spare time on September 27 and would like to give something back to a charity that helps so many here in the north-east, I’d encourage you to show your support to CLAN. It really will make a massive difference.”

For more information about volunteering or taking part in the Landmark Walk, please contact CLAN on 01224 647000 or email Steph.dowling@clanhouse.org .

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org