Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I was inspired to get involved with Calum's Cabin (www.calumscabin.com) after a chance meeting with a resident of Bute, whilst waiting at Wemyss Bay for the ferry to Rothesay where I had been doing winter yacht maintenance. I heard the story of Calum Speirs, a young boy of 12 years of age, who sadly lost his life to cancer.

After their tragic loss, Calum's family decided to establish a registered charity, based upon work already started by Calum himself, in his memory (www.calumscabin.com) and through the hard work and determination of many of the Bute residents, led by Calum's sister and his parents, an amazing new bespoke holiday house was established at St Ninian's Bay on the West Coast of Bute with wonderful views overlooking  the islands of Inchmarnock and Arran,  Loch Fyne and beyond. With continued wonderful support, the charity has now recently added a second holiday house on Bute. 

These houses with their fantastic locations and top quality accommodation standards are offered free of charge to families who are, or who have been affected by cancer.  The many comments which are posted on the Calum's Cabin website by people who have stayed there bear testament to the very positive, uplifting and enjoyable holiday experiences which have made a difference to their lives.

The sense of peace and tranquillity, enjoyment of natural beauty, and the feeling of “getting away from it all” which the Calums’ Cabins offer, as well as rest to face the many challenges ahead, can be so well replicated and experienced through Sailing.  As a yachtsman all my life, and having myself survived cancer treatment and a stem cell transplant, I am determined to support Calum’s Cabin, and felt a Bute sailing challenge was just one way of doing this.

On the 25th May 2014, I shall attempt to sail around the two Scottish West Coast islands of Arran and Bute, on an Excalibur 36ft yacht, “Spingo”, without the use of an engine or added assistance of crew, to raise awareness of Calum’s Cabin.  I hope that the families holidaying in Calum’s Cabins will be inspired to learn more about sailing and its positive effect on our feelings of wellbeing and that many other people will be inspired to learn about Calum's Cabin.

And, in order to continue the success that this great charity deserves I invite you to donate funds ,large or small, to Calum's Cabin to help this charity continue and to enhance the work it does. Thank you.

Laurie Mill

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.