Last year myself and Christina took on the challenge to complete a marathon hike along the North Coast in September 2023 for Cancer Focus NI. Both our families had been affected by cancer and we were going to raise money for those still battling this cruel illness, and in memory of those who had lost their fight.

Before we barely got a chance to train, we had to withdraw from the challenge. I was diagnosed with a cancer in my stomach, in July 2023. (Christina still says I went way overboard in getting out of the hike).

I was young, fit and healthy. I was ready to take on a marathon. I have two wonderful kids and great family and friends around me. Surely cancer doesn't come to people like me? Cancer sucks. Cancer doesn't discriminate. I was doing everything right, yet somehow cancer sneaked up on me.

So, with training for the marathon replaced by surgery and medicine, my level of fitness was shattered. I was weak and tired. However, roll on 1 year, we are back. Fitness levels are slowly getting better and I can't promise we will break any records, but I can promise that we will make it over a finish line.

We are asking for our friends and family to donate anything at all, whatever you can spare. It's not for those we knew, it's for people like me. Cancer came to my door and we need to try everything to stop that happening to anyone else. Raising money with us can help a little bit with research, prevention, awareness and support.

We would be grateful for any donation you can spare. We will cross that finish line for every single person reading this, for we all know someone affected by cancer.

I will cross the line to prove that cancer cannot keep a good woman down.

Thanks ☺️

Charlene and Christina ❤️