A RETAIL manager who lost a friend to secondary breast cancer is to take on a mammoth walk to help fulfil her last wishes.
Jenny Williams, who is retail manger at Ena Shaw on Duke Street, is to put on her walking shoes in memory of mum-of-two Laura Turner, who passed away in 2017.
Jenny, along with others including Laura's husband Iain, will take on a 200-mile coast to coast trek from St Bees in the Lake district to Robin Hood's bay on the East coast.
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They are looking to complete the feat in 12 days, setting off on Monday, May 20.
Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and given the all-clear after treatment.
However, in 2016 she and husband Iain were given the ultimate blow that the cancer had returned and this time it was secondary, or 'stage four', meaning there was no cure.
After a brave fight, Laura, who was mum to Harry and Jake, sadly passed away the following year.
Jenny, who has known Iain for more than 20 years, said: "We were all devastated for this to happen to such a genuinely wonderful human being, also because of the devastating impact it could have on her two young boys let alone Iain.
"One thing that was abundantly clear to both Iain and Laura was the lack of awareness of secondary cancer.
"The lack of information given to patients who have been given the all clear from their first diagnosis. No mention of the symptoms to look out for.
"When they questioned this they were told that the medical profession didn't want to put a negative spin on the fact that patients had beaten cancer. This was and still is utterly astonishing.
"Making people aware of the symptoms can prolong someone's life, give them more time to spend with loved ones, make more memories.
Jenny was among a group of close friends of Laura and Iain's who took part in the first BigStomp in 2016 from the Leeds Bierkeller to the Liverpool Bierkeller, and in 2018 Laura's brother James completed a BigStomp, as he walked 100k in 24 hours.
Jenny, Iain and Saul Murphy on a previous BigStomp
"This is what Laura wanted us to do, make people aware, prolong time with loved ones," added Jenny.
"She asked us to keep on raising awareness and we will.
"We are also hoping to raise money so that we can send other families who have had a terminal diagnosis on memory making trips as they meant so much to Iain and the boys."
- To donate to their effort, visit: gofundme.com/thebigstomp-2019
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