Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor us online.

My Auntie, April Claire Stephenson, who is only 38 and with whom I have a very close relationship, has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a devastating blow to all the family and following many tests she is to undergo surgery and a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She herself is a teacher and is married with three children age between 10 and 13 years.

The whole family are trying very hard to be brave and to tackle the challenge that we have been presented with at this time. The fact remains that she discovered the lump by accident and thankfully as a result of a quick response of her own GP and by her local hospital trust, a treatment programme has been put in place but at this time the prognosis remains uncertain.

I am keen to raise some funds to raise the profile of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

 According to the statistics:-

‘Breast cancer accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women. Every year nearly 44,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women. This works out as over 3,600 new cases per month, nearly 850 per week and about 120 a day. Although it is rare, men can also suffer from breast cancer, approximately 350 men are diagnosed each year’.

My mum, Cressida Tomlinson, is a local Solicitor and has for her own fund raising initiative secured a place the in the Great North Run this is her first half marathon and is on the 30^th September this year (aged 41) she will be running for the aforementioned charity. I am also going to run the 'Junior' Great North Run and my little sisters Phoebe age 8 and Merri age 6 are going to run the 'mini' Great North Run all for the Breast Cancer Campaign!!!!

The Breast Cancer Campaign have offered me a place to take part in a trek to Peru between the 12th and 21^st October this year. The charity have confirmed that I am the ‘youngest ever’ to undertake such a challenge on behalf of this charity, the normal age limit for this trip is 18 years and I will still be only 15 years old when i complete it. Due to my age my mum will be accompanying me (no mum the stillettos and hair straighteners will have to stay at home for this one)!

The trek spans 10 days and will see me ascend to over 4,000 metres (12,000 feet). The expedition is described as a ‘tough challenge’ and the main problem we will have to overcome is altitude sickness. We will undergo training in Lake District during the summer holidays to prepare for this trip.  

Between us, we are looking to raise a minimum of £5,500 for the Breast Cancer Campaign and any help you can offer them in their quest would be gratefully received. Thank you to Alexanders for the first £500 and my mum for the same to get this expedition off the ground.

On 14th July 2007 Granny(Joan Welburn) age 79 (Claires mum) played  a 'Pianothon' at the Salvation Army Hall in Guisborough. She played all 871 tunes in the Army hymn book and it took her 9 hours to complete her challenge. Well done Granny! Along with her friends, the ladies who baked and served tea and coffee and the bandsmen who accompanied her throughout the day they raised over £460!!!!!!

Thank you to all of you who have sponsored us offline by making your cheques payable to the Breast Cancer Campaign. Thank you To Bryan and Vicky Smart, Robert and Kate Mckensie Johnston of Queen Mary's School, Sutherland Professional Funding, Barrister Gerry Heap, Solicitor Gary Warriner of Alison Herbert and Co., Shelia Stephenson and Roger Wilkes. All the cheques have been sent directly to the charity.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Breast Cancer Campaign will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now! By doing so you will be sponsoring both the expedition to Peru and my mum, me, Phoebe and Merri for the Great North Run....so if you would like to see us working really hard this autumn dig into those pockets please!!!!!! 

Many thanks for your support.

love from  Joe and his mum (Cress), Granny (Joan Welburn)Phoebe and Merri xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx