Daniel Turner from Bury St Edmunds prepares to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro to raise cash for CLIC Sargent

Daniel Turner with his late girlfriend Michelle Dring (Image: Archant)

Daniel Turner, from Moreton Hall, has been dedicated to raising money for CLIC Sargent following the death of his partner Michelle Dring –known as Shelly – in 2009, aged just 24.

He has embarked on physically demanding fundraisers, including the London Marathon and a series of tough “spartan” races and he has also taken part in a skydive. So far he has raised about £5,000 for the charity through all his efforts.

The 30-year-old has now launched his fundraising drive for the charity ahead of his attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in February next year.

He is taking money through a new fund he has launched in his girlfriend’s memory called Shelly’s Smile, with the cash going through to CLIC Sargent.

Mr Turner kick-started his Kilimanjaro fundraising on Sunday, May 10, at a cup final football match between his team Eastbury Eagles, in the Bury Sunday league, and Norton Football Club, at Bury Town FC.

At the game he and his family managed to raise £220 via a tombola.

Mr Turner said: “I owe a lot to my football team as they have helped me whilst Shelly was having her chemotherapy and were amazing in supporting me when she lost her battle with cancer and they also have supported me throughout my fundraising events.

“When I was looking after Shelly the only time I would leave her bedside was to drive to Bury and go play football.”

He said Sunday’s game – which ended 3-2 to his team – was a good start to his Kilimanjaro fundraising.

He also has a go-karting day planned, has more signed items from celebrities to auction off and is planning a 5k run for people to take part in.

To support his fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/shellyssmile. People can also donate by texting SHELL88 followed by the amount to 70070.