The start of the story 09/21

My  husband Paul and I are hoping to raise money for research into the causes and cures for the cruel childhood cancer, Neuroblastoma. 

We plan to walk the whole of the South West Coastal Path in sections. Our initial challenge is to walk the 80+ miles from Minehead to Bideford on  six consecutive days, walking between 10 and 14 miles each day. We will try to live as simply as possible, but no wild camping! We are staying with friends at the start and finish and in the cheapest accommodation we could find for five nights. As we are carrying our own bags, we will pack lightly! We know the path will be difficult in places, but Cara had many difficult times in her short life, and no choice about this. 

It was in October 2017 that our little grand daughter, Cara, was diagnosed with this illness. She was  14 months old . At the time we knew nothing of Neuroblastoma and it’s effects on children and their families. We were soon to find out. 

Cara  received wonderful care and the best available  treatment at the RVI in Newcastle. However these were testing times, long periods when she was an inpatient meant one or other of her parents was there all the time. Out patient visits involved early starts, operations meant no food for Cara from an early awakening for hours . Family weekends revolved around the hospital. Her brother spent much time with grandparents. The whole of family life was turned into turmoil.  It was heartbreaking to see how brave Cara was and to live the roller coaster of her treatment as both inpatient and outpatient, alongside her parents and her brother who all did their best to create some ‘normal ‘ time for the family. 

After more than two and a half years it was devastating that she was not able to be cured,  despite this very frontline treatment.  On 29 th of February 2020, little Cara was eventually defeated by the illness. After a massive, aggressive resurgence of  her tumour  she passed into eternal life. The huge gap in her family will always remain.  However we will always be grateful for  knowing her throughout her short life. Cara was a loving child, full of life and fun , cheerful and brave, and continues to be remembered and loved by many people.

Her story is one of many. In the UK alone 100 children each year are diagnosed. Some are able to be cured, but in many cases, this aggressive disease can return.  Parents knowing this live in a permanent state of stress. We want to help those doctors and scientists working so hard to eradicate this disease and know that with Covid and the many demands on health care, it is hard to accumulate the necessary funding. This is our attempt to help.

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