Head Of Spanish Gets Her Skates On

Head of Spanish and Charity coordinator Mrs Maria O'Neill is turning back the years- only a few admittedly- and returning to the ice-rink to raise money for the Cameron Grant Memorial Fund.

Mrs O'Neill explained: 'I am doing this challenge in memory of former pupil Cameron who was in my tutor group and died just after his 21st birthday. Outwardly happy, successful and fulfilled, Cameron took his own life late last year after a lonely, seven year battle with depression.

I have enjoyed returning to the ice and am now trying to decide on the music and the length of my programme with my skating instructor.'

Mrs O'Neill, who started figure-skating when she was three, skated for Lokomotiv Moscow before instructors from Spartak Moscow noticed her promise as a young skater. Faced then with the eventual choice between pursuing her academic studies and making a career out of figure-skating, she resigned herself to the former, so she has very much enjoyed returning to the ice rink this year.

To mark Cameron's life, the Cameron Grant Memorial Fund has been established by his family within the Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust (Registered charity No. 326761). The money raised will be used to support young people who are fighting to overcome poor mental health, especially through the pursuit of outdoor activities, such as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions which Cameron loved.

We thank Mrs O'Neill for her fundraising and wish her well with her weekly 6am Sunday visits to the ice-rink in preparation for her challenge on Sunday July 5th. If anyone would like to sponsor Mrs O'Neill, please click here.