Daniele Gaudion, left, and her daughter.
FULL-TIME carer Claudie Gaudion is hoping to take part in a trek of a lifetime. Claudie, 23, currently cares for her mum, Daniele, 61, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease 18 months ago.
The former air stewardess, who gave up her job to look after her parent, says the opportunity to take part in a charity walk in Peru, South America, and raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association has helped her family.
‘It is difficult for mum to stay positive but this challenge, along with the task of fund-raising, has given her something to keep her mind occupied,’ said Claudie.
‘This is the first time since she was diagnosed that we all feel like we are doing something positive because up until now we have felt helpless.’
The trek to Machu Picchu has been organised by the MNDA and includes a trip to South America’s famous Sacred Valley.
Claudie has already raised £900 to fund her place but needs to make £3,000 before she can set off.
Several local businesses have made donations to her fund and she is planning to hold numerous events to raise more money for the trip, which takes place in September.
Claudie’s first fund-raising effort will take place at Wednesday evening’s Christmas market in Victoria Street.
She said: ‘My mum and I have put together a recipe book and made little gifts that would make good Christmas presents.
‘A jumble sale in January is also planned and we’ve already had a few big donations. I’m hoping to raise much more than £3,000.’
Claudie, of Rue Genet, went on to detail the help the association has provided.
‘Since mum was diagnosed, the MNDA has provided much-needed support, information and, most importantly, equipment. We wanted to find a way to thank them for their continued support and make sure that other families like us receive this vital help.
‘By doing the trek I’ll be able to raise awareness and money for research, so that one day, before long, we can find a cure for this terrible disease.’
Islanders can make a donation to the fund by visiting www.justgiving.com/claudiegaudion.
A snowy owl has been spotted in the island for the first time since 1993.The bird spent a week on these shores.
County bird recorder Mark Atkinson said: ‘We think it was an immature female and the way it was feeding, on rabbit carcasses, suggests it was a wild bird that had wandered south a bit.
‘It is the first snowy owl to visit Alderney since an adult male came here for 11 days in April 1993.’
Mr Atkinson said the birds are rarely spotted outside northern Europe.
‘Snowy owls are extremely rare birds. They are most commonly found in Finland, Sweden and Russia but even there they are few and far between.
‘They used to breed in the Shetland Isles in the 1970s but there has been no British breeding since then. They also used to pair up in Iceland but I don’t think there are many there any more.’
Mr Atkinson said he did not expect the bird to return to the Channel Islands in the near future.
‘The snowy could come back – but it’s extremely unlikely.’‘
Article posted on 28th November, 2008 - 10.00am
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