Photograph – Jenna (purple top) and family outside Calum’s Cabin
The wish of a young boy who died from an inoperable brain tumour has come true, thanks to his twin sister, Rotary Young Citizen Award Winner Jenna Speirs, aged 14.
Exactly two years after he died, Calum’s Cabin – named in his memory – has opened and welcomed the first family to enjoy a holiday there. The Cabin has been built in a beautiful, tranquil spot on the Isle of Bute – a spot which Calum loved to go to with his sister and parents.
Jenna’s twin brother Calum died on 16th February, 2007, thirteen months after being diagnosed with the inoperable brain tumour when he was just 12. In those 13 months, he was an inspiration to all who knew and met him and his priority was always to think of others. His wish before he died was that other families with children suffering from cancer could enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Isle of Bute, just as he had growing up on the Scottish island.
A fundraising appeal was launched at Calum’s funeral service and his sister Jenna managed to raise more than £300,000 for Calum’s Cabin to be built on the island. The BBC’s Children in Need Appeal donated £40,000. Touched by the family’s story, the Marquis of Bute donated the land for the Cabin at a peppercorn rent.
Calum’s Cabin was officially opened on Thursday, 12th February, 2009 by Jenna at an emotional service, and on Monday, 16th February, the second anniversary of losing Calum, the first family arrived to enjoy a holiday there. 12-year-old Erin Geddes arrived with her mum Maureen and Step dad Steph and brother Steven. Erin had Ewings Sarcoma, a bone cancer. At present, she is in remission.
Jenna Speirs was presented with a Rotary Young Citizen Award at the Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Annual Conference at Blackpool in April 2008, shown live on the BBC News Channel. Jenna was nominated for the Award by the Rotary Club of Rothesay.
Jenna and her parents, Duncan and Caroline, now hope to raise enough money to build more Calum’s Cabins around Britain for families of children with cancer to have precious time on holiday together.
The website for more information about the Calum’s Cabin Appeal is www.calumscabin.co.uk.
23/02/09
