Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I would be really grateful if you could just spare a minute to read my story:

In May 2014 I embarked on fundraising for Genesis over a period of 12 months with a target of raising £10k.

The reason for me deciding to do this was due to being inspired by 2 inspirational members of my family who have, and are currently facing, the harsh realities of breast cancer with unbelievable positivity, a smile on their face, drive, passion and determination that I find truly awe inspiring and makes me proud that they are relations of mine.

Kirsty is my 32 year old sister in-law who faced breast cancer twice within a 2 year period with her first diagnosis at the young age of 27. Through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, major surgery and grit and determination, she had thankfully twice beaten cancer. Despite undergoing treatment and the after effects of a double mastectomy, Kirsty throughout this has maintained her ‘life and soul of the party’ attitude and a happy family atmosphere for their little boy, with support from her husband.

Glenys is my Mum and was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2014. My Mum was operated on twice to remove the cancerous lump and for further tests and went through a course of radiotherapy. Thankfully my Mum has been given the all clear. Like Kirsty, my Mum tackled this with unbelievable positivity and determination to face anything that was thrown at her to beat this disease.

Having spoken to both Kirsty and my mum they felt that without prevention measures such as mammograms, regular checks and in many cases genetic testing along with the support they have received from centres like Genesis, their diagnoses may not have occurred and given them the chance to even fight the disease which made the decision easy in choosing Genesis as the charity to support.

Unfortunately in September 2014, Kirsty was diagnosed for a third time and this time the prognosis is that this horrific disease has taken a hold and cannot be cured. This was devastating news for Kirsty and the entire family. However, typically of Kirsty she has come out fighting and with the support of her family we intend to continue to face this head on. 

Kirsty’s spirit and determination continues to astound me and this has made me determined to make sure that I exceed my fundraising target.

 

To raise money I have completed the following events so far-

• Manchester 10k - 18th May

• Barcelona to Nice Cycle - 29th June - 500 mile in 5 days

• Adidas 24 hour Thunder run where as a team we ran over 22, 10k laps with me individually running 50k 

• Despite a fear of heights I completed a zip wire from the top of the Imperial War Museum across the Manchester Ship Canal.

I still have the Manchester marathon to complete on 19th April 2015 and my final event of the 12 months which is 5 marathons in 5 days starting with the Windermere marathon on 17th May 2015.

In addition to this my family and friends have organised events that included a Race Night, Body Shop party and numerous raffles which have hugely contributed to the fundraising. I’d also like to thank City West Housing Trust and Waitrose who have both had my fundraising for Genesis as one of their monthly spotlight charities as well as all the individual donations I have received so far. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.