Loch Ness RNLI crew hiking for Harvey
On Saturday 27 September, a team of volunteer crew members from RNLI Loch Ness will be tackling Ben Nevis to fundraise in honour of Harvey Archer, the nephew of crew members and sisters Georgia Archer and Madison Archer-Rayner and Madison’s husband Aron Rayner.
17-year-old Harvey was recently diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, and has a long journey ahead of him with months of chemotherapy and surgery. The family have decided to fundraise to help cover the costs of Harvey and his parents travelling to and from London every week for treatment, as well as accommodation and time spent away from work.
Georgia, Madison and Aron joined the crew in 2023 after relocating to the Highlands from Essex and have garnered support from the crew with Kieron Tarling and Kenny Rodgers joining them for the Ben Nevis challenge.
Once on the summit, Aron, Kieron and Kenny plan to shave their heads in solidarity with Harvey, and Madison will also be chopping her long locks to donate to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer.
Talking about the challenge, volunteer crew member Georgia said: “It was an awful shock when our brother rang us to tell us the news, we all broke down in tears. Nobody deserves cancer but when it’s a child it somehow seems even more unfair, and Harvey is one of the kindest most positive kids you could ever meet.
“After relocating to the Highlands from Essex, we felt helpless to support them as a family whilst they begin to navigate such a tough journey, not only with Harvey’s cancer, but also the financial strain they now face which is already taking its toll. We felt compelled to do something from our end that may at least ease some of the burden even if just a little bit, as well as perhaps raise some awareness about this rare form of cancer. Any money left over once Harvey’s treatment is complete will be donated to the hospital that is looking after him.
“We wanted to do something big that grabbed people’s attention so decided to climb Ben Nevis and then once at the top a few of us will be shaving heads to stand in solidarity with our nephew. We are eternally grateful to our crew members who are also joining us to show support. It’s a challenge, but not nearly as much of a challenge as the one Harvey is now facing. We have set up a GoFundMe page and are already deeply touched and overwhelmed by the amount of friends, family and even strangers that have contributed, and it shows Harvey he is not alone in his fight.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far. If there is anyone else who wants to support us in any way, or even join us on our hike up Ben Nevis, they would be more than welcome and we truly can’t express our gratitude enough.”
Donations can be made to Harvey’s GoFundMe fundraising page and Harvey’s journey can be followed on the Harvey’s Heroes Facebook page.
Ends
Notes to editors
· Loch Ness lifeboat station was established in 2008
· Situated on the northern shore of the iconic Loch Ness, lifeboat station volunteers operate in a unique, inland environment
· To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/loch-ness-lifeboat-station
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Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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