This year, on 9 May 2026, my mum (Christine) and I are doing a very special challenge together. We'll be taking on a full marathon trek (42km!) in the Peak District in aid of CoppaFeel!, the brilliant breast cancer awareness charity founded by Kris Hallenga.

We last attempted a trek together in 2004, back when we were spring chickens, when we climbed the Inca Trail in Peru.

Life has thrown us a few curveballs since then: in 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2022, it spread to my bones and become incurable. While I'm affected by cancer-induced menopause and aching joints, Mum has plenty of ailments too, yet she's the strongest woman I know.

Mum has been by my side through absolutely everything I've faced in my life, including all the challenges of breast cancer. She held my hand during chemo, helped me through the most difficult decisions and sat by my bedside as I recovered from my surgeries. I couldn't have done any of it without her.

We've climbed a lot of figurative mountains together, but this will be the first time climbing literal mountains together in a while – and what better reason than to raise money for the amazing work of CoppaFeel!, the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity.

... and because I can never quite resist an extra challenge, I'll also be taking on a *second* CoppaTrek marathon in the Lake District in September! (Mum will have her feet up at that point.)

Please help us achieve our epic fundraising target! Your donations will help CoppaFeel! with its incredible work.

And a huge thank you!

Laura and Chris x

About CoppaFeel!:

We educate people on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and encourage them to check their chests regularly, so that if they notice something unusual they are empowered to contact their GP and advocate for themselves. We do this because when diagnosed early and accurately, breast cancer treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher. Early detection truly can save lives.