Relatives of a Moray teenager who set up a charity before her death from cancer are preparing to climb one of the world’s highest peaks to continue her legacy.
Abbie Main, from Elgin, set up her Sparkle Foundation before losing her four-year battle against the illness on Christmas Day, 2017.
Now a team led by her cousin Chloe Cameron will depart for Africa on what would have been the teen’s 17th birthday in October to try and scale Mount Kilimanjaro.
Legacy of inspirational Moray teenager has now helped more than 100 other families
Abbie climbed her first Munro not long after being in hospital and was a fanatical member of a local cheerleading club.
Yesterday, Miss Cameron said spending eight days climbing the 16,100ft peak was inspired by her cousin’s “courage”.
She said: “Abbie was full of determination, sass, spirit, love, laughter – and cheekiness. This void of sunshine and laughter in our lives has been difficult to bear.
“Upon receiving the news her illness was terminal, she began to think about how she could help other children in her situation, knowing first-hand the difficulties children with cancer must face.
“She also knew the big impact a small act of kindness could have.”
Money raised by Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation has been used to deliver gifts to patients in children’s wards across the country, help fund hospital equipment and provide grants to families facing financial burdens – fitting in with the “hospitals and stuff” mantra prescribed by the teen.
The charity also plans to open a holiday lodge in Aviemore, which was one of Abbie’s favourite places, during the summer to provide a retreat for families with youngsters undergoing treatment.
Miss Cameron will be joined on the Kilimanjaro climb by her partner Martin McRobbie and friends Caroline Cameron and Alistair Thomson who have also been affected by cancer.
A spring fair held in Elgin at the weekend helped take the fundraising total past £3,000 so far with further events being planned including a ceilidh, prosecco day and rugby match.
The four-person team is funding the African trip themselves meaning that every penny donated to the cause will support the charity.
Miss Cameron added: “Every time I saw Abbie she was smiling and laughing, lighting up every room that she entered. It was impossible not to be in awe of her.”
Donations to support Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation can be made online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com
