Mother calls on businesses to wear red for charity (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Mother calls on businesses to wear red for charity

3:34pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Ian Craig

A MOTHER whose son has a rare heart condition is appealing to businesses in Cirencester to support the British Heart Foundation as part of ‘Wear Red Day’ later this month.

Gill Mackellar-Still has been running events in aid of the ‘Mending Broken Hearts Appeal’ since September and has so far raised more than £2,900.

She is now asking shops, cafes, offices to hold events in support of National Wear Red Day on February 24.

The national campaigning day invites people to wear red clothes to work in exchange for a donation to the British Heart Foundation.

Gill’s 20-year-old son James was diagnosed with the rare heart condition Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome seven years ago, meaning his heart beats too quickly and sometimes irregularly.

The Cirencester Primary School administrator has organised a range of events including a non-uniform sports day, which eight schools in Cirencester participated in, as well as bag-packing day at Tesco before Christmas.

But this is just the build-up to the main event – in April Gill and a group of friends will also be trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru to raise money for the charity.

Before this, Gill has arranged a number of other events to raise money for the charity, including a Latino party night at La Attica in Cirencester on February 10.

A quiz night will also be held at Cirencester Primary School on March 9, with tickets available from the school from February 20.

Gill has thanked everyone who has helped organise the events or donated prizes.

“You know who you are – there are far too many to mention – but your kindness is very much appreciated,” she added.

To contact Gill, email gillytrek@hotmail.co.uk, visit her Facebook page ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Appeal’ or call Cirencester Primary School on 01285 658 5520.

For more information on the Mending Broken Hearts campaign visit bhf.org.uk/mbh or to donate to Gill’s campaign, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GILLMACKELLAR-STILL