Tale of Two Faces
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British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA), is a small charity which has helped me through out the years when I got my brain tumour removed. They have been a great support and I have met so many new friends through the website. Each year I decide to do fundraising for the charity.
Women’s 10k (2011)
The first event I completed was the women’s 10K in Glasgow, on 8th May 2011. My mum, 2 aunties and me did not prepare myself at all, and did no training whatsoever! (thought we would be smart!).
The weather was not too bad on the day until the last 2K when we got absolutely soaked, but it was well worth it.
In total it took us 90 minutes to complete the course. It was a brilliant atmosphere especially to have my family at the finish line cheering us on. Especially my 3 wee cousins who had made a banner saying “Go Nicole”!
In total we all raised a grand total of £1033.25 including gift aid.
Munro Climb- Ben Lawers (2012)
In 2012 I decided to go for a different challenge, something a little more difficult. Again I did no preparation and just thought I would “chance it”.
When I woke up first thing in the morning it was pouring down of rain, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed, however I was determined I was not going to let the typical Scottish weather stop me from doing the climb. As we were driving, suddenly I heard my name come on the radio, I didn’t realise that my aunt had sent in a text message to Clyde 1 saying “Good Luck to Nicole Joyce, who is climbing Ben Lawers in aid of The British Acoustic Neuroma Association”.
As we arrived to do the climb the rain wasn’t so heavy. The climb took a total of 5 hours. It has got to be one of the hardest challenges I have done so far. At one point it was just so steep I didn’t think I would have managed it. The constant pain was there too, but I was very determined to do this for BANA, there was no way I was giving up, and I had also raised quite a bit of money so didn’t want to disappoint anyone. When I made it to the top of the Munro it was just the best feeling in the world, another challenge had been completed. I was all smiles and we posed for many photographs. Also it had not rained at all on the way up. It was just extremely windy. The best part of the day was on the way home we stopped at a pub in a small village for a well-deserved Blue Wicked, it tasted amazing!
We raised over £1440.50 for our climb to the top of Ben Lawers!
Upcoming Events
So this year, I was planning on doing a sky dive with one of my university lecturers, however, due to upcoming surgery on my back, I need to move it to next year. (yes, I am gutted, but I am sure my lecturer is breathing a silent sigh of relief).
So instead I have managed to persuade some guys to take the pain this year! My other half Chris, my uncle and granddad are going to get their chest or legs waxed for BANA. I must admit I am really looking forward to watching it (I may even try to pull a strip or two off myself!)
They are hoping to complete this around June 2013.