My beautiful wife Jane is 53 years old. She is not a sun worshiper, and followed her mum's example of eating the right food and exercising regularly. A very fit lady. However, she developed two skin cancer moles on her leg in 2020. These were removed successfully, but in January 2024 it was discovered that her melanoma had spread to a lymph node in her groin.

Following surgery in March to remove the lymph node, it was discovered in June that the disease had spread to several other areas. This was despite regular scans prior to the surgery. Since then Jane has undergone the most courageous, but bitter and painful battle to beat this dreadfully conniving form of cancer.

In November 2024, Jane was admitted to Pendleside Hospice for two and a half weeks when she was struggling to get on top of the disease and the side effects of her immunotherapy. The care she received was outstanding, and following various switches in medicine, including a blood transfusion, she started to improve to the point where she could be released. Since then, she has undergone the successful removal of a brain tumour - following the hospice recommending a scan, and she is improving further through a switch to a targetted treatment.

The care and attention that Jane received will have cost the Hospice many thousands, so I feel it is my duty to try and give something back by taking on this trek to Iceland.

*******

Pendleside Hospice is a pillar of palliative care, offering unwavering support to individuals, families, and carers dealing with the challenges of advancing long term and life limiting illnesses.

Thanks to the generous backing of our community, Pendleside can continue to enhance quality of life and promote independence for our service users and their families. Your contributions are crucial in helping us deliver the exceptional care and support that truly impacts the lives of those in Burnley and Pendle.