EnerMech’s Human Resources director Shirley Smith has added an extra zero to her 50th birthday celebrations – by undertaking a 500km cycle challenge on behalf of cancer support charity CLAN.
Keep fit enthusiast Shirley is marking her milestone birthday by pedaling from Vietnam to Cambodia and in the process has raised more than £5000 for the Aberdeen charity.
The nine day trip, averaging 50-60 kms a day, begins on December 2 in Saigon, traverses the Mekong Delta and ends in Siem Reap in north west Cambodia.
Shirley always planned to celebrate her 50th in a unique way. She said: “Having reached 50 I thought it was time to give something back to the world and I always planned to do something for charity. I’ve also always wanted to visit Vietnam and Cambodia so this way I get the best of both.”
Shirley chose to support a cancer-related charity because her mother died at a young age from ovarian cancer, she lost a close friend to the disease who was in her 40s and her father suffered from bowel cancer when he passed away aged 84.
Shirley added: “Life is a wonderful journey and I have been blessed with good health which has motivated me to take on this challenge. Sadly I have experienced the loss of my loved ones to cancer and it seemed only right that I should raise funds for CLAN.
“CLAN offers both cancer sufferers and their family support through very difficult times and has always impressed me with the range of support they give, from accommodation for families who do not live locally in Aberdeen, to reflexology and art classes for patients during treatment.
“CLAN needs to raise significant funds for their move to new premises and I am grateful to all my family, friends and work colleagues who have made a contribution which will help them along the way.”
Shirley initially planned to raise £5000 but the total now stands at £5530. If you would like to make a donation please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Shirley-Smith0