On Sunday 18 September, Jane Reedy completed her Big 5 Challenge which has raised almost £5,000 in aid of CancerCare and Cancer Research UK.
Over the last five months she has swum, cycled, run, walked and rode hundreds of miles to raise money and awareness.
We have a long relationship with Jane and her family and over the years she has raised thousands of pounds for us and we never cease to be amazed about, and grateful for, her boundless enthusiasm – not to mention energy.
We can’t thank Jane and her fabulous family and friends who supported her along the way, enough. Here are a few words from Jane about why she did it.
“On Thursday 23rd September it will 5 years since I was told that I was ‘all clear’ from oesophageal cancer. After my diagnosis, I was given a 1 in 5 chance of survival after 5 years. Since my diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, I have been diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene (meaning I have an increased chance of ovarian and breast cancer). I have had 5 operations (some of which were major, some preventative), chemotherapy and radiotherapy. To celebrate this 5 year landmark and ‘my second chance at life,’ I decided to take on 5 ‘chosen’ challenges in 5 months with the aim of raising £5,000 for CancerCare and Cancer Research UK (split 75% and 25% respectively).
“These challenges have all been in Cumbria and made up what makes me, me by who and what they have involved. The first was the Cumbria Traverse: a linear route from Broughton Mills to Keswick over the fells, taking in many mountains over its 30 miles. The second was the Frog Whitton: 96 miles of biking over most of the Lakeland passes and 6 miles of swimming in different lakes. The third: swimming the length of Coniston which is 5.25 miles, if the direct line is found! The penultimate challenge: the Cross Bay Walk from Arnside to Grange over Sands, organised by Cancer Care. Finally, challenge 5: a beach ride on horseback at Bardsea.
“Each of these amazing challenges aimed to inspire people to enjoy the little things in life, plan the big and remember that there is always ‘hope’. They have each been unique and provided me with incredible memories which I will treasure for ever. None of them would have been possible without the support of my amazing husband, Matt, and daughter Tess, both of whom have supported me with every challenge. Neither would they have been possible without my network of incredible friends, many of whom I have known for years, others I have got to know through the past 5 years and some I have got to know through doing these 5 challenges.
“Hopefully, they have inspired people to get out, enjoy where we live and embrace a ‘chosen’ challenge, or embrace and appreciate the simple things in life like a good walk with friends.
“My daughter, Tess aged 9 summed it up the ‘Big 5’ by saying, ‘It’s been an amazing journey and it’s been emotional but I have loved all of it. It’s been great to be part of it and watch mummy doing it- seeing her enjoying it with her friends.’”
