An inspirational Moray teenager has raised more than £1,000 in advance of an ambitious skydive challenge.
Cliohna Thomson, 17, from Aberlour, is taking on the daring mission in aid of CLAN cancer support which is close to her family’s heart.
Cliohna was diagnosed with leukemia last November and thanks to the charity her relatives were able stay in Aberdeen while their daughter received treatment.
She had to undergo intensive chemotherapy each week which wiped out her entire immune system.
The Speyside High pupil missed fifth year at school because she had to be hospitalised for five months.
During that time her appendix had to be removed in a risky operation and she went blind in both eyes. She now his limited vision in one eye.
The brave teenager, who is now in remission, said: “My sisters have been a massive support to me. I got diagnosed on my oldest sister’s birthday and that day they came down and were with me the next day.
“Sheila stays in England and picked up my other sister in Edinburgh on the way – they stopped off at the Apple shop and got me an Ipad so I could be connected to the outside world.”
Cliohna added: “I was in an isolated room because even a common cold can kill you I had a reaction to the bacteria on my own skin.
“I was so weak I couldn’t open a bottle of water and I couldn’t lift my head up.”
Cliohna’s mother Kim Siu said: “Either myself or my husband could take it in turns and I could cook food and take it in to her because she has coeliacs as well as diabetes and she’s a vegetarian so hospital food wasn’t great.
“CLAN let us use a fold away wheelchair so I could wheel her across to the Sick Children’s hospital where she had a friend.”
Cliohna attends school part time just now and hopes to go into Fashion Management at Robert Gordon University when she finishes school.
Cliohna, who is a keen musician, is currently working on a song which tells her story.
Her friend Kerri Mackie, who is afraid of heights, will be accompanying her on the skydive next month and raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation.
Cliohna is not just intent on leaving it at skydiving. In the future she hopes to abseil down the Forth Road Bridge.
To donate to Cliohna’s efforts visit
https://www.justgiving.com/Cliohna-Thomson/