Two West Midlands-based women who have been diagnosed with the terminal illness mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, will be hiking an incredible 26.2 miles in one day, to raise funds for two charities – Mesothelioma UK and Asbestos Support Central England.
Sue Farrall and Emily-Jane Scandrett will be tackling the Hallow 12 Parish Challenge on Saturday 6 July 2024. The marathon hike takes participants through 12 picturesque parishes in the Worcestershire countryside.
Sophie Philips, a Mesothelioma UK funded Nurse Specialist who runs the Asbestos Support Central England support group, and Alida Coates a Mesothelioma UK Trustee will be joining these wonderful ladies on the day which will be taking place the day after ‘Action Mesothelioma Day’ which is where the UK remember those we have lost and those who have fallen victim to mesothelioma.
Sue used to run ten miles on Sunday mornings ‘just for fun’ before her diagnosis in 2022, at the age of 56. She said: “I was devastated when I was given the news. I didn’t think I fitted the demographic of mesothelioma, which is generally associated with older people or men who have knowingly worked with asbestos.
“After undergoing surgery in 2023, I set myself the challenge of completing the Hallow 12 Parish Challenge. Our team is called ‘The Broken Ones’ because we’ve all gone through life-changing illnesses. But rather than focus on the past and what we can’t ever do again, we’re focusing on what we can do now.”
In addition to raising funds for these important charities, Sue and Emily-Jane also want to raise awareness around mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos exposure.
“The reality is that we are all at risk of exposure. It was banned for use in the UK in 1999 but is still present in many public buildings like schools, hospitals, leisure centres and high street stores. As these buildings age and deteriorate, more people will be at risk of exposure to the devil’s dust,” continues Sue.
To follow Sue’s fundraising efforts, visit https://givestar.io/gs/the-broken-ones.
Emily-Jane commented: “I was five weeks pregnant when my symptoms first started. It took a horrid 17 months for me to be diagnosed before I was given the devastating diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is on the increase, but knowledge about the disease sadly isn’t!
“It has taken a while to accept that this is really happening to me, especially as I am just 40 years old, newly married, and blessed with two adorable young sons and a lovely young stepdaughter.
“I will be eternally thankful to these two particular charities, Mesothelioma UK and Asbestos Support Central England, who have been a wonderful source of help and support during my journey. I was absolutely terrified when I received my ‘terminal’ diagnosis, but the support group has contributed massively towards how I’m dealing with this.
“Your kind sponsorship donations will not only go towards helping raise awareness of this rare type of cancer, which is slowly on the increase but also enable further desperately needed research and development to continue.”
To follow Emily-Jane’s fundraising efforts, visit https://givestar.io/gs/hallow-12-parish-challenge
So, if you see this wonderful group hiking through your parish please do say hello, or give them a wave or even a toot! it will be very appreciated.
