In 2010 our family were devastated by the news that mum had ovarian cancer with complex secondary tumors and that surgery was not an option. 

She initially underwent a grueling course of chemotherapy but was told that her tumors had not been responsive. Unwilling to accept this we turned to the internet to search for hope.....and found The Christie and Professor Jayson. The Christie is one of Europe's experimental cancer medicine centers and an international leader in research and development.  Professor Jayson was conducting chemotherapy trials that seemed to be relevant to Mum's condition. Desperate to get her on board, I emailed the Professor directly, explaining her diagnosis and over the following 9 years he became someone who Mum grew to trust, respect and shared many a laugh with. 

Mum underwent many experimental and pioneering chemotherapy trials which were extremely hard on her physically and mentally. During this time she lost her hair, lost height from osteoporosis, lost a lot of weight but NEVER lost her fighting spirit. She would take on any trial offered which often resulted in spending more time at the Christie than at home. Whenever asked how she was, mum would always reply "I'm alright".....even at the end. 

In the following 9 years after her diagnosis, Mum became a grandmother twice, continued to enjoy holidaying in between her treatment schedules and generally lived life to the max. 

Mum suffered a sudden and significant decline in her health in late 2018. We were informed that there were no longer any treatment options but that she could continue to take chemo tablets....which of course she did. Despite becoming very weak, extremely thin and dependent on oxygen, mum was still happy to go away for our joint birthday to Blackpool at the start of January this year. It was immediately after this trip that mum's health took a further turn for the worse. 

Mum was taken too soon on 24th January 2019 at the age of 59. She died with dignity and surrounded by the ones who loved her the most. 

Our family are beyond grateful to The Christie for giving my mum the best and most advanced treatment available. They always provided hope when mum most needed it and were astounded by her fighting spirit and unrelenting humor!

I decided to complete 9 events, which commenced in 2019 - a challenge for every year that my brave and beautiful mum fought the most courageous and inspirational cancer battle. Unfortunately, COVID-19 threw a massive spanner in the works on my events and stopped a number of planned events taking place. Lots were cancelled or have been rebooked. It turns out I'm now doing a total of 11 instead of 9 - an extra 2 to make up for lost time I guess!!

The events will consist of lengthy bike rides, half marathons, zip lines, fundraising events and the finale will be the London Marathon. Along this fundraising journey I will also be joined by my husband Matt, my dad John and loads of other friends and family have agreed to help, support or even take part in some of these events with me (thank you to everybody)

I want to support The Christie and raise as much money as possible towards their ground breaking research into Cancer treatment, so that they can help others in the way that they helped my mum. 

Above all, this is for my amazing mum. I want to thank her so much for being such a warrior and never saying no to whatever trial was offered.....despite feeling so poorly. She was going to stay around for her family for as long as physically possible. 

I will continue to keep the below list up to date as and when I complete events or book further ones. 

Event 1: July 7th 2019
Manchester to Blackpool 60 mile bike ride - COMPLETED 
*Joined by Dad*

Event 2: August 18th 2019
Leek Half Marathon - COMPLETED
*Joined by Matt*

Event 3: September 8th 2019
Ride the Roaches 65 mile bike ride - COMPLETED
*Joined by Dad*

Event 4: September 22nd 2019
Macclesfield Half Marathon - COMPLETED
*Joined by Matt*

Event 5: December 7th 2019
Christmas Party, Raffle and fundraising event at Ball Green Working Men's Club in memory of Mum (the most challenging event so far to organise and execute!) - COMPLETED
*Supported by too many friends and family to list - thank you*

Event 6: 23 February 2020
Frosty 5k family run, organised by The Christie and being completed by Faye, Matt, Hugo and Sienna - COMPLETED

Event 7: 5 December 2020
Christie Festive Run, Jog or walk in Christmas Attire (COMPLETED - all in own "bubbles" due to COVID-19)
*Organised by myself & Matt - 40 adults and 9 children took part in total and collectively raised £3250 additionally outside of this justgiving page as event had its own one* 

Event 8: 4 July 2021
Manchester to Blackpool 60 mile bike ride - COMPLETED
*Joined by Dad*

Event 9: 12 June 2022
Potters 'Arf Marathon - COMPLETED
*Joined by Matt*

Event 10: 16 July 2022
The Christie Zip Slide - COMPLETED
40m in the air & soaring 1000ft from the Imperial War Museum across the canal to MediaCityUK!
*Joined by Matt and our good friend Tom Lovelock*

Event 11:  2 October 2022
London Marathon - PLACE SECURED AND IN TRAINING

**ADDITIONAL EVENT - completed by Matt and our good friend Jenna Gray** 
31st July 2021
300ft Bungee Jump - Tatton Park, Manchester - COMPLETED
*Matt and Jenna raised £1685 additionally outside of this justgiving  page as event had it's own one*

**FURTHER THINGS TO RAISE AWARENESS** - I featured in the Christie Impact Report, in the fundraising section. link: https://thechristie.cld.bz/impact-Report-2020

Hugo and I also appeared on BBC Breakfast on 23/10/2020 to talk about mum and the fundraising importance in a special feature which showed the Christie's struggle during the COVID19 pandemic and to help raise awareness that fundraising during the pandemic was more important than ever!!!

Please give whatever you can afford, this is a truly worthy cause and without the support we had from The Christie, the precious time that we had with Mum (which will never be enough), might have never happened.

Thanks in advance :) x