Piano Push in Aid of Cancer Charity
A group of staff from Malvern Hills District Council are set to push a piano to the top of the Malvern Hills to raise money in the name of a colleague battling cancer.
The team will aim to scale the Worcestershire Beacon – a climb of more than 1,300 foot – when they take on the Malvern Piano Push in aid of the Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven.
The challenge takes place on Saturday, 3 June 2017 at 11am starting from central Malvern. The group, dressed as Victorian adventurers, will stop off at several locations along the way for short performances for the public to enjoy before resuming their mission to reach the top.
Malvern Hills Voice Choir will also be making an appearance along the route and there will be a final performance once the group reaches the summit. The team hope to raise £2,000 for the charity and so far more than £900 has been pledged.
The idea for the ambitious fund-raiser followed news that their colleague Nicky Stevens, who works as a PA at the council, had been diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before Christmas 2016.
Speaking about the moment she received the diagnosis, Nicky said: “I knew something wasn’t quite right and I went to the doctor, found the lump and I was referred for tests. When it was confirmed as cancer I was frightened.
“I didn’t know how I was going to deal with it but the support I’ve had from friends, family and work has been amazing and inspired me.”
The 48-year-old is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, and will then have to have surgery. Further treatment may then follow.
“The chemotherapy is hard and becoming more intrusive. I am naturally a bubbly and enthusiastic person and the treatment does make it hard to be me really at times but being able to carry on working has meant I’m not isolated and the support has been amazing. To hear about the piano push and all the other fund-raising people are doing means the world to me.
“The Haven is such a special place. It doesn’t just deal with the medical side but it provides counselling and a lot of the emotional support you need as well when you’re fighting cancer.”
Nicky also paid tribute to her three daughters – Emily 19, Amy 18 and Poppy 13 – for their bravery and support. And she also had a final message to other people in her situation.
“Don’t be afraid. There are places like the Haven out there and there’s so much support. You don’t have to go through this on your own.”
To donate to the cause or for more information about the challenge and the route visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MalvernHillPianoPush