[A] woman who broke her wrist during training for the Lakeland 3000s Sunset Challenge has finally completed the 24-mile walk and 10,000ft ascent in aid of the Brain Tumour Research charity.
Claire Rawlinson, of Cockermouth, covered 24 miles in 16 hours to successfully climb Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Scafell and Scafell Pike in the Lake District. Her achievement comes after breaking her wrist whilst training.
Despite undergoing an operation and having a metal plate and six screws fitted into her wrist, Claire was motivated to resume training after the deaths of her close friends, Wendy Dempster and Diana Clark, who had both been diagnosed with brain tumours. Like Claire, the women were members of the Cockermouth and District Soroptimist group.
Wendy was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2018 and died just five months later on May 31st at the age of 78. A prominent member of the community, Wendy was a former headteacher, a founding member of the local Soroptimist group, a founding member of Cockermouth Swimming Pool fundraising committee, a former president of the local Girl Guide Association, and a former chairman of Lorton Parish Council.
Diana, 73, was also well known within the community after moving to Bridekirk in 2002. She had worked as a manager at Save the Children in Cockermouth, and was an active member of the Soroptimists, WI, and her local church. Diana died from a brain tumour on 20 April 2018, just three months after her diagnosis.
Claire, who works as a Commercial Manager for International Nuclear Services, said: “I’ve had a few hiccups along the way, to say the least, but I’m so happy I made it and raised all the money for the charity! What happened to Diana and Wendy was devastating and that spurred me on the whole way. I’m also so grateful to Lakeland Mountain Guides because without them, I wouldn’t have been able to reorganise the challenge and continue fundraising.
“I was dismayed when both Diana and Wendy were diagnosed with brain tumours. It was all the more upsetting because they deteriorated so quickly. Our whole group is devastated, and our president, Helen Lord, has chosen the Brain Tumour Research charity as her charity of the year in their memory.”
The Cockermouth and District Soroptimists have also supported the Brain Tumour Research charity by joining its national Do Lunch! campaign. The group hosted a dinner for 40 people with a raffle and fundraising activities. Mayor of Cockermouth, Cllr. David Malloy, who has also chosen the Brain Tumour Research charity as his charity of the year, was also in attendance.
Andrea Pankiw, Community Fundraising Manager for the Brain Tumour Research charity, said: “Brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
“For too long, brain tumours have been a neglected cancer. Experiences like Diana’s and Wendy’s remind us all that we cannot allow this desperate situation to continue. We are extremely grateful to Claire, Helen, and the Soroptimists for their support. Together we will find a cure.”
To donate to the Brain Tumour Research charity via the Cockermouth and District Soroptimists, click here https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/BrightideasSI
