The Peaky Walkers: Andy Hanson, Greg Hanson, Emily Hanson, Mick Green, Dawn Green, Hugh Zabel, Lorna Zabel

To understand our motivations for taking part in one of the Macmillan Mighty walks it is perhaps best to know a little about the person we want to honour.

Carol’s first love was working with horses and as a young girl worked at a local stable yard. Every year she took part in the local May day procession, getting up at the crack of dawn to prepare and take the horses to the celebrations. She would return in the evening almost falling asleep as she rode the horses’ home. Never one to miss an opportunity she also mucked out and groomed other people’s horses in exchange for rides, a work ethic that she would continue throughout her life

Carol eventually came to Suffolk in 1985. She came to work as a groom, a riding instructor and the promise of a partnership at a local stable yard. To make ends meet she also worked behind the bar at a local squash club. It was here, at an annual squash club BBQ, that I first met Carol. Our initial relationship grew into romance and so we decided to buy our first house together. Carol parted ways with the stable yard and looked for better paid work so we could afford a mortgage. It was true love indeed if Carol was prepared to give up her beloved horses for a life with me! 

We brought our first child, Gregory, home to our cottage in 1990, before a year later moving to a family sized house the other side of town. Two years later, we were delighted with the birth of our second child Emily. Carol was fiercely proud of both our children and encouraged them in all their different activities. She took great joy in their achievements however large or small, first or last Carol always made our children feel like winners.

Carol’s strong work ethic meant her working life was varied. Groom, shop worker, barmaid, street furniture assembler and local college receptionist to name but a few of the jobs she had. However, for over 20 years she worked for the Highways Department at Suffolk County Council. She was liked and well respected by both colleagues and contractors alike. Being respected in the male dominated world of road repair and utility contractors was no mean feat for a woman in those early days and speaks volumes of her character.

Carol had a fantastic group of friends who she met through Suffolk Highways and they loved her spirit, kindness, sense of humour, unwavering loyalty and her ability to stay calm under pressure.  I know they all miss her greatly. 

Carol had her first bout of serious illness in 2011 when she suffered a brain haemorrhage. While it was a dark time for our family her determination to be back with us helped her to pull through to a full recovery. However, fate was not kind and she was diagnosed in late 2014 with Myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Finally Carol succumbed to her illness and passed peacefully in April 2020. Due to the corona virus I was the only one able to be with her during her final days and hours. Not being able to be with her caused great distress to our children and family. But Carol knew that she was always in their thoughts and knew she was surrounded by the love and support of her whole family. 

I hope this gives you some sense of the beautiful soul Carol was and why we would want to honour her by taking part in a Macmillan Mighty Walks challenge. We hope that other people who fall ill to cancer can benefit from the funds we raise for Macmillan now and in the future. Thank you for supporting us with your generosity.