Rebekah Bircher has set out to raise a staggering £30k with a series of charity events and challenges to mark her 30th birthday year, in memory of her older sister, Kathryn Bircher, who died from cancer when she herself was 30 in 2019.
Bec, from Quedgeley, wanted to honour her sister Kat by “doing something positive” and fundraising for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Hospice, where Kat spent her final days.
“I turned 30 on 4th January 2022 and it was so bittersweet for me. I was excited, but at the same time this was the age my sister was when she tragically passed away from cancer” shares Bec.
Bec, who works at a Gloucester GP surgery, took on the famous Mount Snowdon climb on 25th April, alongside a team of ten, including her mum and dad.
Bec’s mum, Andrea Bircher said “I feel so proud of Becs for organising and walking up Mount Snowdon in special memory of Kat and for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice. We know how special staff and the place is at Sue Ryder. Our walk was challenging in places and thoughts of Kat were near to me; the weather and scenery were beautiful and reaching the summit was fantastic”.
Bec added, “the best part of this challenge was doing it as a team.”
“Climb for Kat started with just three of us, but when I mentioned it to others they wanted to join in, and the group snowballed! We all found it incredibly hard and felt very achy afterwards. We did the Ranger Path which is ‘medium to hard’ – and I soon realised I should have trained way more! It took us a total of eight hours, and the average is six.”
“But what we have done just doesn’t compare to what Kat went through. She went through so many hard things and harsh treatments. Even though she went through so much she always showed so much perseverance and courage. She had such fighting spirit.”
On their fundraising success to date, Bec says: “I’m proud to say that the ‘Climb for Kat’ team raised an amazing £4,000 with Gift Aid – and a group of hikers even donated money as they saw our t-shirts. A lady in the group donated £20 which is amazing!”
Bec is now planning for their next fundraising event, ‘Cake for Kat’ which is taking place on the 14th May between 11am-2pm at Gloucester Elim Church in Park End Road, Gloucester. Bec and her family will be selling a variety of sweet treats to fundraise vital funds for the hospice.
Bec says: “Everyone is welcome, and they can stay as long as they want, so why not drop in and enjoy some delicious cakes with a friend or two! We will have everything from Oreo cheesecake to brownies and tray bakes. Last year it was really popular – we very much hope to see a good turn out this year as well for such a fantastic cause.”
Bec continues: “I would just like to thank everyone who is supporting our fundraising in memory of my sister Kat in 2022. Especially my mum and dad.” Bec’s cousin Hannah is also supporting the fundraising, and will be baking some delicious treats for ‘Cake for Kat’.
“I think Kat would be really proud of what we are all doing in her memory. She would be grabbing everyone saying ‘give us your money!’ I think she would be really supportive of the fact that the funds we are raising will be going to an amazing place where she felt so cared for.”
On fundraising for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, Bec says: “It means so much to us that we can do something to give back to patients who might be in the same situation we were in, and we hope Sue Ryder can bring them comfort too.”