Local dentist hygienist makes final plans for her 500 mile walk to raise awareness about oral cancers.
With just three days to go before she starts her sponsored walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton it has emerged that Dental Hygienist of the Year, Christina Chatfield will be following in the footsteps of J.M.Barrie, author of Peter Pan, in her fight to raise awareness about oral cancer.
At the turn of the century the famous Kirriemuir born playwright and author paid for surgery for his close friend Arthur Llewelyn Davies who was suffering from cancer of the mouth. Sadly, surgery left him disfigured and unable to talk, even with an artificial jaw. Barrie paid for all his medical care until he died at the age of 44.
Llewelyn Davies, a respected London barrister, is best known as the father of the boys who served as the inspiration for Peter Pan and the other children of J. M. Barrie’s stories of Neverland. Although he lived to see his sons immortalised by their dramatic namesakes on stage, his death in middle age in 1907 left his family in the care of the playwright.
Christine will start her walk from Kirriemuir on May 19 in the town where she had her first dental practise. She is returning to her roots to begin her epic journey which will end at her new dental health spa in Brighton.
The link to Barrie has spurred supporters in Kirriemuir to rally round Christina’s campaign. Local school children will be give her and her team a rowdy send off as they attempt to raise as much sponsorship money as possible. Staff from the Kirriemuir dental surgery will escort her on the route to Dundee, completing the first 19-mile leg at Beam Orthodontics in South Tay Street.
Christina said: “Mouth cancer is one of the very few forms of cancer on the rise, and it currently claims more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined. We all have a responsibility to help beat the disease, and you have the chance to join me and help to make a difference.
“By donating just £10, you could potentially prompt someone into getting checked out, a move that could save their life.”
Christine has been in training for the last 6 months to get ready for her monumental walk. She will be taking a route down the east coast of England, passing though Edinburgh, York and London before arriving in Brighton where she has her own Dental Health Spa on Queens Road.
All money raised will be shared between the British Dental Health Foundation and Heart Your Smile.
You can get yourself sponsored to accompany Christina on any section of the walk, or simply make a donation to recognise her amazing efforts.
For more information about Christina’s challenge, CLICK HERE:
To get sponsored or make a donation, CLICK HERE:
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