Udderly brilliant way to raise money for Kidney Research UK!
A Fife mum has found the perfect way to moo-ve into 2021 by turning her passion for photographing Highland cows into a calendar to raise money for a charity close to her heart.
Lynn Wishart, of Leven, has created the beautiful calendar for Kidney Research UK using some of her favourite pictures taken as she drives around Scotland.
Hobby turned fundraiser
“I love photography as a hobby but have never done anything like this before. I only really share my images on Facebook and haven’t had the confidence to print them off for other people!”
However, her hand was forced when her eldest daughter Holly asked for a calendar for 2021.
“I printed a calendar of my favourite highland ‘coo’ photographs which Holly liked so much she put it on her Facebook page. It got lots of interest. Friends asked if they could have one and the idea snowballed,” said 52-year-old Lynn.
Doing her bit to help
Lynn knew charities were struggling this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic so wanted to do her bit to help by creating a Christmas gift that would appeal to lots of people.
Her youngest daughter Morgan (now 21) had a kidney transplant from dad Scott in 2014 and the family have missed taking part in this year’s Kidney Research UK Glasgow Bridges Walk due to lockdown forcing the event to be cancelled.
“We have been to every Glasgow Bridges Walk since it started in 2013, the year Morgan was diagnosed,” she said.
“Morgan was lucky as she was a perfect match with her dad and her kidney has been successful ever since, but we know this may not last forever and it’s highly likely she will have to go through the transplantation process again.
“We are hoping some miracle will happen and kidneys will last longer. It would be great if everyone who goes through this only has to endure it once. Research is our hope not just for our family but for all families going through this.”
Morgan was diagnosed at the age of 13 out of the blue. She had been suffering pain in her knee, but the family never expected her to get a diagnosis of end stage kidney failure.
“Looking back, she was always tired and thirsty throughout her childhood. Doctors never picked it up when we asked about it.
“They think she was born with dysplastic kidney but just managed to live with it.”
Due to Morgan’s terrible knee pain she was taken to hospital for an MRI and at the end of the appointment, the consultant said there wasn’t anything else they could do for her as they ruled out all possibilities.
Lynn said: “I wasn’t happy but just before we left, he said while you are here, let’s run some blood tests.”
That was on a Friday at 11am. Four hours later the phone call came asking Morgan to be brought to Glasgow Children’s Hospital right away.
“It was a total shock,” she said.
Morgan, who works for Fife Council, by day and runs her own cupcake business baking in the evenings and weekends, began dialysis at home and a year later in 2014 had a kidney transplant from her dad.
“Although she is doing really well, we know it is not the end of her kidney journey,” Lynn said.
Order you calendar
Calendar order deadline Friday November 6: The Highland Coo photos in the calendar were taken around Fife, on the road to Glencoe and the Isle of Mull.
Calendars cost £8 each plus £2.50 P&P. A donation of £2 will be made to Kidney Research UK for every calendar sold. Any additional donations will be added to the money raised. Lynn can post overseas but please email first for a quote before placing order.
To order, email Lynn on: [email protected]
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