Anna Shardlow

Why I’m doing the Big trek

In a few weeks time I’ll be walking 26 miles with my good friend Jane to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. 

Admittedly we won’t be running the 26 miles, but we anticipate the experience will be hard going and require us both to dig deep. Not least because we probably haven’t done as much prep/training as we could have 🥴 and will be relying on coffee shots and sugar hits to get us through!   

Jane and I met at primary school and we’ve been firm friends ever since. I know we’ll make a good team and support each other through the fatigue, aches and blisters with humour and good chat along the way. 

Two things have made me want to do this. The first reason is Jane’s older sister Claire. Claire has been treated and supported by the Royal Marsden Hospital following her breast cancer diagnosis several years ago. The care and treatment she’s received have literally been a lifeline for her and her family. 

Secondly I began working for the Royal Marsden Cancer charity in April this year. I’d known about the hospital for some time, but since joining I have been blown away to learn and understand the scale and impact the Royal Marsden has, day- in-day-out, for people who have cancer. 

Cancer can be a brutal disease with devastating impact and outcomes, but as I understand it we are currently living in a golden age of cancer treatment. The outcomes for people are changing at lightning pace and The Royal Marsden is at the forefront of pioneering new treatments, ground breaking research and clinical trials. All of which are saving thousands of lives at an unprecedented rate, not just within the hospital itself but across the UK and even globally. 

The important role and impact the charity has in funding this work is incredible. So I’m asking my friends and family to sponsor me. However much or little you want to give, it all makes a difference and will spur me on to take on the challenge.