In 2020 at the age of 39, I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer that had spread to lymph nodes and surrounding blood vessels. I had surgery to remove a large part of my colon and then completed 6 months of chemotherapy which I finished in March 2021. Having reconnected with social media I have met some other incredible young bowel cancer warriors! So when an opportunity arose to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with other fellow bowelies there was no way I could turn down this opportunity of a life time!

I am so passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer in younger people and want to help raise much needed funds to go towards vital research as early detection saves lives! On a personal note I am also doing this for my two young boys to show them that anything is possible and that Mummy kept going and didn't give up!

Cancer treatment of surgery and chemotherapy was challenging to say the least but I’m positive about the future and recent scans show no evidence of disease so what better way to start the next chapter by fundraising and raising awareness of this awful disease and getting myself up that Mountain!!

Since being diagnosed I was shocked to see how many other young people are being diagnosed and the figures are rising. I’m determined to help other young people get diagnosed at an earlier stage, as unfortunately due to our age we often get diagnosed at a later stage after being investigated for IBS, piles, colitis, allergies etc.

I'm taking part in this charity challenge to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK. They're the UK's leading bowel cancer charity and are determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the UK's second biggest cancer killer with over 16,000 people dying annually of a disease that is preventable, treatable and curable. I'm determined to help Bowel Cancer UK to change that. The money you donate will help to provide support and information to patients and their families, enable them to fund and support research into bowel cancer and to campaign for early diagnosis and best treatment and care for all.