Say hello to Lucy 

 

Introducing: Lucy Kirkland

Role with Cancer Support Scotland: Community Fundraiser

Tell us a little about you? (your background, qualifications etc)

During my time at university, it became clear that Statistics was not the most exciting degree. I knew I didn’t want to work for a corporate business so throughout my 4 years of studying I volunteered for a number of charitable organisations which is where I got my taste for fundraising. After leaving university and travelling with different charities, I found the perfect role in Glasgow and started my career in fundraising. I have been working in community and events fundraising for over three years in various charities.

What is your personal motto or mantra? (from a book, a film, an inspirational person or your own).

‘You never know how close you are to success if you give up.’

What is your biggest achievement to date (personal or professional)?

For my previous charity I took part in the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon – the UK’s toughest outdoor sporting event. It involved swimming across Loch Tay, scaling 7 munros (we managed 4…) followed by a 7-mile kayak and a 34-mile cycle. Despite the tears and arguments along the way, my team mate and I crossed the finish line with smiles on our face 16 hours later. It was an incredible experience and definitely my proudest achievement to date – I’d recommend it to anyone!

Why did you want to work for Cancer Support Scotland?

Cancer Support Scotland provides such an important service to everyone that is affected by cancer – not only that but it focuses on the wellbeing of the whole person. The charity is going through a really exciting journey at the moment which I am honoured to be a part of. As we enter our 40th anniversary next year, I am really looking forward to watch the charity grow so we can reach even more people in the future.

What do you like most about your job?

I love the opportunity to meet people who are passionate about the same cause as me and together coming up with ideas that can really make a difference by raising money and awareness for Cancer Support Scotland. I love the creativity involved in the role of a fundraiser and helping people achieve their goals, whether it’s running their first coffee morning or finishing a cross country cycle. Everything people do to raise funds makes a huge difference, not only to the charity but it gives individuals a great sense of accomplishment which I love to be a part of and celebrate with them!

What is it people with cancer deal with that you want to help fix?

Cancer affects everyone involved, whether you’re the one that has received the diagnosis or a friend or family there for support. At Cancer Support Scotland we support everyone from patients to carers and I think it’s such an important service to provide. Being able to welcome people to a beautiful building which can become an oasis away from a clinical environment, where they feel comfortable to be themselves, is a wonderful thing to be a part of. Seeing people leaving the Calman Centre a different person is the reason not only for the services we provide but why I am passionate about raising money so we can help more people that are affected by cancer.

Given the chance who would you like to be for one day and why?

Rodger Federer. I have always been inspired by tennis players physical and mental strength. It’d be great to experience that for a day without having to put in the years of training.

How would you like to work in partnership with organisations who support us?

1 in every 2 people are affected by cancer in their lifetime. It’s so important that people know about the services available to them when they need it to help them through one of the toughest times of their lives. For me, it’s so important to work with partner organisations to raise awareness about the work of Cancer Support Scotland so that everyone can access and receive the help that they need so we can continue to reach more people affected by cancer.

I would love to spread the word of the work we do far and wide to local schools, universities groups and associations so everyone can get help if and when they need it.

You can get in touch with Lucy Kirkland on 0141 337 8199 or email lucy.kirkland@cancersupportscotland.org

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