Our Norwegian member, Dorothy "Dot" Bjorøy (78), steps up when required. She is preparing for a 30-mile hike with her nieces, Nikki Beckett and Keely Graham to raise funds and create awareness for the research related to her youngest niece who suffers from a rare blood cancer called "Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia" (WM). From August 31 to September 1, they will depart from Amble Harbour Village and hike along the historical Northumbrian coastline from castle to castle until they reach the legendary Bamburgh Castle, all on the northeastern coast. It is natural for them to do this here since they all have roots in this part of England. Dot was born and raised in Durham, south of Newcastle Upon Tyne. T-shirts and flags will hopefully attract people’s attention along the path.
The fundraising efforts are aimed explicitly at WMUK, the only charity in the United Kingdom focused solely on WM.
Keely Graham (left) and Nikki Beckett are teaming up with Dorothy on this charity journey to improve their sister's life.
"It is important for me to help my niece Melanie by raising awareness and hopefully some funding so that they can continue their great work supporting her and everyone affected by WM," Dorothy said. She appreciates having a project like this to focus on.
She walks five to seven miles on the roads in Malvik just outside Trondheim, Norway each day to be well-prepared for the two-day hike, which is six hours of walking every day.
Our club respects our fellow member Dot for showing that age is just a number. We wish her and the team the best of luck and hope they raise awareness for a better world for those affected by WM!
By Roger Bjoroy-Karlsen, Public Image Chair
The hike ends at Bamburgh Castle, situated at the Northumbrian coastline.
Do you want to donate?
https://www.justgiving.com/page/1720389308052
More about WMUK here:
https://www.wmuk.org.uk/