|
|
Challenges
Challenge Cancer Through Adventure exists to enable
residents of the Peak District and surrounding areas, who have cancer
or a life-threatening illness to live a dream by having a life time adventure
experience. On this page we bring you the stories of those people who
have taken that Challenge and had that experience.
If you feel inspired, want to take up the challenge and realise that adventurous
ambition, contact
us here.
|
Jane's Cinque Terre Walk |
Jane writes: How could I challenge cancer through adventure?
I am not a sporty person, but, like many people, have good intentions
about getting fit which never quite translate into action. Living
in the Peak District, I have always enjoyed walking, but gentle
rambles along river valleys are more my style than assaults on peaks.
Getting diagnosed with cancer accelerated my desire to do all the
things I had been putting off until tomorrow. I don’t believe
this is an unusual response to what at first can appear to be a
devastating diagnosis. This feeling of needing to get moving with
life helped me formulate an idea for the challenge which I would
set myself and present to Challenge Cancer.
I wanted to get fit. I wanted to be in the open air. I wanted to
walk. I wanted a break from all the daily routines and demands of
normal family life.
A walking adventure in Italy clearly was on the agenda. But where
in Italy and what exactly would be the nature of the challenge I
was setting myself?
I put my idea to Challenge Cancer through Adventure, and was encouraged
to send in an outline of my
proposed trip. Challenge Cancer liked the idea, so my adventure
was set to begin...
Read more about Jane's challenge
here... |
|
| |
|
Heather's Annapurna Sanctuary
trek |
I am 54 and have always been an active enthusiast of outdoor
activity especially cycling, walking and skiing but I have never
had the opportunity to undertake a challenge and it has been a lifelong
dream to visit the Himalayas. I livs in Wirksworth , Derbyshire
and until being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 I was employed
as an Urban Designer with the North West Development Agency.
|
 |
In June 2007 I was diagnosed following a routine
health check and quickly had a mastectomy followed by 7 months chemotherapy.
I decided not to continue working which had required living away
from home during the week and now I do some consultancy work and
voluntary work including supporting the Walking for Health Campaign
which is promoted by the NHS and Natural
England – and I am a fundraising ambassador for
Breast
Cancer Care .
I first became aware of Challenge Cancer Through Adventure
via a poster at my local leisure centre and decided to investigate
the website where the Derwent Dambuster Challenge caught
my interest and I applied to do the Challenge. The event was fully
subscribed so I volunteered to help and found myself helping to
marshal this popular event. During the event I took the opportunity
to find out more about the charity and decided to make an application
to make a dream come true. I have always wanted to visit the Himalayas
and had kept an article about a trekking group in Nepal reported
in the Guardian which was started by 3 sisters to provide training
and employment for Nepalese women. I researched the trekking
group – and the trek and made an application to CCTA to
undertake the Annapurna Sanctuary trek starting in October 2010
for 12 days with a womens only group.
The group had 11 women from all over the world – India, America,
Australia, France and UK – with 11 female porters and 2 female
guides. It was a great group who all enjoyed each the company and
shared experience of having to walk 7 hours a day and get acclimatised
before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp at over 4000metres.
CCTA made this happen for me, their support and encouragement has
made a great difference and I have returned from the trip feeling
ready and able to continue with new challenges.
|
| |
|
Claire's Hot Air Balloon
Experience |
click on the pictures to enlarge |
This was one of the best experiences I have ever had, the weather
was good, the skies were clear and the views were spectacular.
We arrived at the Bakewell show ground, we had to unpack and inflate
the balloon which took around an hour to do, we then all climbed
into the basket and the ride began.
We were in the air for around one and a half hours, drifting where
ever the winds took use, and as it was a clear evening and no clouds,
we could see as far as the horizon in all directions, Manchester
and beyond to the West, York to the North, Goole to the East and
Chesterfield to the South, the highlight of the trip for me was
ascending through the clouds and braking through to a clear bright
Plato of rolling clouds, and been able to see our silhouette of
our hot air balloon on the clouds at the side of use, at this point
we were one mile high.
We then descended back through the clouds and drifted on slowly,
covering at total of 8 miles, gradually descending with still more
breath taking views below us.
Finally it was time to hold tight to the safety ropes, bend your
knees and prepare to land, and we started to descend, as we did
this it seemed as though we were gathering speed as the ground looked
to be closing in very fast, and with a thud and one bounce we had
landed and we were still upright, the man in charge shouted every
one out as he released all the hot air from the balloon, and it
started to deflate and fall to the ground, we all had to help packing
the balloon away and load it onto the trailer as the light began
to fade, and make the trip back to Bakewell.
Finally, I just want to say a very big thank you, for all your help
in giving me on of the best days of my life, if was Fabulous.
Many Thanks
Claire
Sadly, Claire died on 13th December 2010 |
|
|
Roger's Himalayan Adventure |
click on the pictures to enlarge |
I am 46 years old and was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in October
2008. I had an operation to remove half my bowel and this was followed
by 6 months of Chemotherapy.
After my chemotherapy I wanted to do something that I could look
forward to and would encourage me to get fit and strong again.
A year before my diagnosis I had trekked to Everest base camp in
Nepal and a friend from the trip invited me to join him on an expedition
to climb Mera Peak, the highest trekking peak in Nepal at 6400m
(21,246ft).
I'd heard about Challenge Cancer through Adventure from a friend
and contacted them. As I wasn't working at the time CCTA provided
me much needed financial support to enable me to do the trip.
After flying into the remote airstrip of Lukla in the Khumbu region
of Nepal, three of us and a huge support team trekked through bamboo
and rainforest on paths that had not been used for years (due to
landslides). We saw lemur monkey's and eagles. The days were arduous;
the paths never seemed to contour the hills, they just seemed to
go up over the ridges then down to river beds then up again. Once
we got over 5000m the trip had a different feel to it. We started
to really feel the altitude, giving us headaches and sleepless nights.
It was also much colder, we were camping in temperatures of -10
to -15 degrees.
We trekked up though the snow fields to our base camp on the Mera
La glacier at 5300m. We then made our way to our spectacular high
camp perched on a rocky rib ledge, a few hundred metres above the
glacier. The mountain scenery was spectacular with fantastic Himalayan
panoramas of the high peaks of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makula,
Kanchanjunga and Ama Dabalam.
We left our warm tents for the summit in the dark at 3 a.m.. It
was -15 degrees and a tad windy! Unfortunately, the altitude started
to really affect me on summit day and at 6100m I reluctantly turned
back. Nevertheless the trip was a fantastic experience but more
importantly it was a key part of my recovery programme and I am
now back at work.
I can't thank Challenge Cancer Through Adventure
enough for giving me the opportunity to have this fantastic experience.
Roger |
|
| |
|
|
Steve's Kite Surfing |
|
In 2006 I was diagnosed with a relapse of the cancer I had beaten
in 2001, Hodgkins Lymphoma. Aged 29 I knew I had a huge battle again
, especially now I had 2 pre-school children to support. After months
of chemo and a stem cell transplant I was lucky enough to go into
remission
Challenge Cancer Through Adventure gave me the
oppurtunity to go Kite Surfing, I decided to take the Kite Surfing
course 12 months after my transplant.
It was one of the most exhilarating and demanding experiences physically
I have ever undertaken. I had the time of my life and during my
course I often felt like I was laughing in the face of my cancer.
It was also a great celebration of my 30th year and 12 months remssion
date.
I am extremly grateful to the team at Challenge Cancer for this
chance of a lifetime. Thank You |
|
|
|
Dawn's Balloon Ride
|
|
I was diagnosed with breast cancer
at the age of 29, 1 week after returning from my honeymoon. Therefore
the year
that followed
was a really challenging one for both my husband and I as we faced
surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments together. Therefore
being able to go on a thrilling hot-air balloon ride on my 1st
wedding anniversary and 1 week after finishing my treatment really
marked the end of a challenging year for us.
The balloon ride was
just the most fantastic experience ever. I can't begin to tell
you, but I will have a good go! We first
got stuck in helping to inflate the balloon and set it all up ready
for our "Exclusive for Two" flight. Then it was jump
in and lift off.
Take off was
a really funny sensation, like being on a huge open-air elevator,
I loved the feeling and it felt so
safe up in the air too.
|
 
|
We first flew over the Peak district
and Chatsworth House and then the wind carried us over the rooftops
of
Chesterfield. We flew so low over the houses I was even able to
wave to the people below. The landing was pretty bumpy and the
basket
ended up on its side so we really felt we had recieved the full
ballooning experience.
All in all it was just amazing. It is all
thanks to Challenge Cancer Through Adventure.
They arranged it all for me and even turned up to get stuck in
with the balloon inflating. I cannot begin to express how much
I appreciated it. I would recommend a balloon flight to anyone.
Thanks everyone from James and I! |
|
|
Sarah's Motor Racing
|
|
Sarah Stevenson, who has cancer of the liver, contacted Challenge
Cancer Through Adventure about her dream; to drive a racing car
at the
donington
Park Circuit.
We were happy to oblige. Here are some pictures of Sarah's dream
coming true. Click on the pictures to see the bigger picture.
Sarah's husband Mike, wrote :
"Sarah and
I are very grateful for Challenge Cancer's support, the brief experience
which she
got a few weeks ago at Donington was a huge morale boost and she
had been enthusiastically looking forward to going to Rockingham...
She also asked me to thank you, particularly, for your kindly
support.
the brief drive which she had at Donington
was great!
...
Challenge Cancer's
contribution to Sarah's life was immensely valuable, she enthusiastically
looked forward to her Donington experience and enjoyed that part
of it which was completed before the weather put a stop to driving.
Keep up the good work, every person you help will get a great and
hugely valuable experience."
Yours, Mike Stevenson |
|
|
|
Young Achievers 3/6/07
|
|
In June this year, Challenge Cancer Through Adventure organised
and funded an activity day for young achievers, at Duke's Barn
Activity
Centre
in Derbyshire.
Pictured are Lucy, (top) who brought her parents and a friend
along to share the fun. Lucy has cystic fibrosis, and is certainly
not letting that get in the way of having a good time on the
Ropes
course.
Ellis (below) brought her brother and her mum.
Ellis has a kidney tumor and had a great day trying all the outdoor
activities.
The Activity Day was led by Graham Jones assisted
by Caroline Brunt. The parents joined in and all had a great day
on the new Duke's
Barn
Ropes
Course
followed by a brilliant time abseiling off Millersdale Bridge.
If you click on the pictures, you can see a bigger version. |
|
|
|
Melissa's Skydive 21/4/07
|
|
I am a 25 year old who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in October
2006, and I contacted Challenge Cancer through Adventure during
my treatment.
I wanted to do someting exciting to mark the end of the chemotherapy
and give me something to look forward to and aim for.
Consequently on 21st April 2007 I jumped out of a plane at 12000
ft high and have never had a feeling quite like it! Everytime
I watch my experience on DVD it makes me cry, to describe it
in one word would be: MAGIC.
It meant so much to me and I loved it, I have Challenge
Cancer through Adventure to thank for that and helping me throughout
this journey.
Lots of love
Melissa x
(If you click on the pictures, you can see a bigger version.)
|
|
|
|
|
Keith's Skydive Challenge
|
|
My name is Keith Harding. At the age of 65 I was diagnosed with
an aggressive type of prostate cancer. Following a radical prostalectomy
(shortly after the diagnosis) I made an uneventful recovery. Within
one month I was out cycling approximately 25 miles per day and
doing long long walks with my dog. I remain extremely active and
enjoy a challenge.
On my 67th birthday I achieved my dream and did a sponsored
parachute jump to help raise funds for Rotherham Cancer Care
and Challenge Cancer Through Adventure.
Throughout this period I have had tremendous support and encouragement
from Rotherham Urology Team and Rotherham Cancer Care, an after
care service.. for people with Cancer. Challenge Cancer
Through Adventure gave me the opportunity to realise
my dream. I have managed to give a little back for all the help
that is on offer.
|
|
|
|
Carol Challenged Cancer
|
|
My name is Carol Wriggleworth, I am 42 years old, have 3 children
and live in Sheffield.
I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in January 2001, where
I underwent surgery, with everything going well. I still have
6 monthly check up at Western Park Hospital.
|
|
Following a school residential in 2004 to Lockerbrook where
I missed out on the chance to do an abseil, I have been keen to
try, wonder what it would be like.
On the day I was apprehensive, a little frightened, but very
excited about doing the abseil. I am glad I did it, I can now
put into words my feelings as I stepped over the edge of the
bridge. Half way down I started to relax a little, and just enjoy
the thrill. I enjoyed it so much I did it again, twice.
I would like to thank Challenge Cancer for giving me the opportunity
to experience something that I thought I would never do.
Thank You.
Carol.
|
|
 |
|
back to top
|
