100 Miles in October for Breast Cancer 💗

This October, I’ve decided to take on a challenge that means a huge amount to me: walking 100 miles throughout the month to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

I’m doing this because two incredibly important women in my life, my Auntie Heather Rolls and my manager Bobby Theobald, both have their own breast cancer stories to tell.

I’m also incredibly grateful that Hannah Beachill, who is part of my team at work and is very close to Bobby, has decided to join me in this challenge. Having Hannah alongside me makes this even more special, as this cause means a great deal to both of us.

We want to use this challenge to support Heather and Bobby, celebrate their courage and strength, challenge ourselves, and most importantly, help raise awareness of just how important it is for women to know their breasts, regularly check for changes and never ignore something that doesn't feel right or put off a screening appointment.

My Auntie – Heather Rolls 💗

In January 2024, my auntie Heather went to the doctors after feeling a small lump in her right breast. She thought it was probably just a cyst and even joked about having the afternoon off work to get it checked.

But once she arrived at the clinic, everything happened very quickly. She had a mammogram and ultrasound and was then asked if they could take a biopsy. At this point, she still didn't believe anything was seriously wrong and simply wanted to go home.

She was then sent to see a consultant, who told her to prepare for the worst.

Heather was numb and completely shocked.

A few days later, she returned for more mammograms, where another area was found, meaning she needed a second biopsy.

Within a week, Heather received the news no one wants to hear: it was cancer – Invasive Lobular Grade 2.

Because of the second area that had been found, she needed further treatment and, the following month, underwent a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.

The physical recovery took months, but the emotional journey was just as difficult. Heather struggled with getting used to her new body and the changes that cancer had brought into her life.

But her story didn't simply end with surgery.

She was put onto hormone therapy medication, which caused her to go through a medical menopause and brought with it some extremely difficult symptoms.

Today, Heather is incredibly grateful to be here and able to share her story. She wants other women to understand how important it is to check their breasts regularly and get anything unusual checked.

My Manager – Bobby Theobald 💗

Bobby has a different story, but one that is just as important.

Bobby attended her routine mammogram screening at the age of 50, with absolutely no symptoms.

A few weeks later, she was called back for further investigation. She had an ultrasound, a biopsy and another scan, which revealed a 3.5cm area of cancer cells within the duct of her left breast.

Bobby was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), stage 0 breast cancer, which is hormone receptor positive.

Sadly, Bobby's mum passed away from the same cancer. Because of her family history, Bobby has also had to stop taking hormones and undergo genetic testing, including BRCA testing.

Although Bobby is understandably facing a difficult road ahead, she is incredibly grateful that her cancer was found early through routine screening.

Her next steps will include a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy for five years.

Bobby is passionate about encouraging other women to check their breasts, attend their screening appointments and never put them off.

Because sometimes, as Bobby's story shows, you may have no symptoms at all.

Why Hannah & I Are Doing This 💗

These two women are incredibly inspiring to me, and I'm so pleased that Hannah is taking on this challenge with me.

Hannah is particularly close to Bobby, so this fundraiser is personal to her too. Having someone beside me who understands how much Bobby means to me, and who wants to support her through this journey, makes walking these 100 miles even more meaningful.

Heather and Bobby have both faced frightening, unexpected and life-changing circumstances, and I know there will be difficult days ahead. Some days will feel darker than others.

But I hope that by taking on this challenge, Hannah and I can give them a little bit of light and let them know just how much we are behind them. 💗

We also want to help make sure their stories reach other women.

Please don't wait until something feels wrong. Get to know your breasts and regularly check for changes. Attend your routine breast screening when you're invited, and if you notice something that isn't normal for you, speak to your doctor.

Early detection can make such an important difference.

Please Support Our Challenge 💗

If you can, please donate, share our fundraising page, or even join our team and set yourself a personal challenge for October.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will mean so much to us — and to the women whose stories have inspired us to take on this challenge.

100 miles. One month. One very important cause. 💗

For Heather.

For Bobby.

For every woman affected by breast cancer.

And for the hope that more lives can be saved through awareness and early detection.

Thank you for supporting Hannah and me, and for helping us turn 100 miles into something that could make a real difference. 💗