On Sunday 16 September I’m running the Great North Run for
the David Cairns Foundation.
David, who died of Acute Pancreatitis in 2011, was MP for Inverclyde. He was a
huge inspiration to me and many others.
The David Cairns Foundation was set up to remember his life
and work. The Trustees of the Foundation aim to support the causes that David
supported in his parliamentary career in the hope that the hard work that David
put in on behalf of his constituents, his causes and for the country is
continued.
The Foundation is currently supporting three charitable
causes that David was associated with. The Ardgowan Hospice in his Inverclyde
Constituency was established in 1981 to enhance the lives of local people
affected by cancer and other serious life limiting illnesses.
In David’s role as the Chair of the All Party Group on HIV
/AIDS he met David Kato, a Ugandan man who was to be beaten to death for his
sexuality. To highlight such cases the Foundation is supporting the work of
SMUG (Sexual Minorities Uganda).
Finally, as a living memorial to David, the Foundation, in
partnership with the Notre Dame High School, has established an annual David
Cairns Public Speaking Prize. Each year the two winning pupils will be recorded
on a special trophy and have the opportunity to visit the Palace of Westminster,
tour the Commons and Lords and watch Prime Ministers Questions from the
gallery.
You can support my run by making a donation to the Foundation here. If you do
make a donation I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you personally so
please do drop me an email to chriscreegan61@gmail.com
Many thanks.