A CANCER patient has completed a gruelling challenge in memory of her mother who died of the disease last year.
Ali Durrant, from Worthing, has completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for a charity that helped her mother, Angela.
Angela died from cervical cancer in January 2021, Ali was diagnosed with breast cancer just eight months later.
Earlier this summer, twelve weeks after finishing her own cancer treatment, Ali completed the 24-mile trek in under 12 hours.
Along with her husband Ben, they raised over £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support as a thank you for the support Ali received.
Ali, who is the head of production at a London video games company, said: “When mum died of cancer the grief was overwhelming for me.
“Then, eight months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“After that, there were a lot of appointments and hospital-based things, and at every one I had support from Macmillan nurses.
“I also called the Macmillan helpline shortly after my diagnosis, as I felt like I really needed support.
“The person who answered my call was so kind, listened to everything I was going through and gave me great advice for dealing with the feelings of being overwhelmed.
“He offered me further counselling through Bupa which I was incredibly grateful for.”
Ali wanted to complete the Three Peaks Challenge to “repay the kindness” shown to her by the charity.
The 42-year-old said: “Mum lived in Yorkshire and it was on her birthday weekend, so it seemed appropriate.
“I wasn’t able to train much, as I was having radiotherapy, but my husband joined me and we somehow managed to get through it together.
“The weather was appalling. There was no visibility and it rained solidly for nine of the 12 hours, but we did it.
“And we raised over £2,000, so it was worth every step.”
Emma Hammett, Macmillan regional fundraising manager said: “We were so sorry to hear of Ali’s loss together with a cancer diagnosis of her own but were pleased that Macmillan were able to support her through this very difficult time by offering her emotional and practical support.
“We are so grateful for their support as Macmillan Cancer Support is 98 per cent funded by public donations and our ability to transform the lives of people with cancer is thanks to supporters like Ali and Ben.”
For information about fundraising for Macmillan visit: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/fundraise
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here