2015 Kiltwalkers for the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation
2015 Kiltwalkers for the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation
Following on from chatting to Caroline at Calum’s Cabin, we’ve been in touch with Angela Cook who works at the Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation as a dream co-ordinator and trustee, another one of the charities that Kiltwalk helps to support.
Since it was established in 1992, the Les Hoey DreamMaker Foundation has made thousand of dreams come true for children with life threatening illnesses. Families are encouraged to apply, detailing their little one’s favourite things so that the foundation can organise a bespoke, tailored surprise. It can be anything from them meeting their favourite girl band such as Little Mix to a new iPad to play with or even a trip to Alton Towers.
It all began when Les Hoey’s daughter Shelley was diagnosed with Leukemia. She spent months in Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow and wanted to meet the pop group Boyzone. Les contacted their management who were kind enough to invite Shelley and her friends to meet the band when they played in Glasgow. When Les saw how happy this made Shelley, he was inspired to give other children with life threatening illnesses the same joy, and so the DreamMaker Foundation was born.
In July 2013 Les was honoured to meet The Queen and receive his MBE for his services to charity. Since then, Les has raised over £2 million for other fantastic causes. In 2014 Les and his team of volunteers decided to become an official charity and in September Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation became a reality.
The charity currently has around 20 volunteers who work tirelessly to provide the children with memories they’ll never forget. One of their recent projects has been the purchase of two caravans at holiday park Craig Tara, aptly named DreamMaker 1 and DreamMaker 2. These can be used to give families a chance to spend some quality time together. Craig Tara is well equipped to suit everyone’s needs – there’s spectacular scenery and a beach if families choose to enjoy quiet, leisurely walks and plenty of more energetic activities such as go-karts, trampolines and an indoor swimming pool complex.
Volunteers halfway through the 2015 Kiltwalk.
The Les Hoey MBE DreamMaker Foundation has also assisted one of our own apprentices Taylor Kershaw. Taylor was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2012 after finding a lump on his neck and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and a clinical trial. His mum put him in touch with Les who arranged for him to train with the Scotland squad and go to London to see The Voice being filmed. He said, ‘When you’re unwell and stuck in your hospital or bedroom you just want to get away and take your mind off it. I’m really grateful for the fantastic experiences the DreamMaker Foundation gave me and I can’t wait to give back to them through walking the Kiltwalk for the second year and fundraising.’
Taylor Kershaw pictured with volunteers ahead of the 2015 Kiltwalk.
Angela said, ‘We’re so proud to be part of Kiltwalk. It’s great fun and you make friends for life. The funding generated from it has been unbelievable and allowed us to purchase the caravans, enabling us to help many more families. Many people ask if I find my job difficult and although it is at times, nothing compares to putting a smile on someone’s face and making them happy during an incredibly tough time for them.’
