Cary, a mother of 2, started fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Action after her diagnosis of stage 1 ovarian cancer.
Cary organised the first ever Ovarian Cancer Action Walkathong, sponsored by Tesco. 100 women came together to walk 5km in their knickers to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer.
With the support of her friends and family Cary has already raised over £35,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action.
The Jamison family and their league of very enthusiastic friends and supporters are fundraising in memory of Gill Jamison - much missed wife of Peter and mum of Helen and Steven. For the last eighteen months they've been involved in all kinds of capers and fun events to raise donations for OCA. They have held two glitzy dinner dances, each for 150 people, run several golf tournaments, and taken part in fancy dress beer walks; once as Robin Hood and his band of very merry men, and more recently as a rather eye-catching bunch of neon ravers! It seems their supporters are not shy of a challenge, and family friend Paul Taylor deserves a special mention for his mammoth three-day triple marathon in the searing heat and humidity of Laos - a huge achievement. All of these efforts mean they recently smashed their £20,000 fundraising target, and they would like to thank everyone involved for their help and support. To find about more about what they're up to go to http://www.justgiving.com/gmj/
Helen says "I want to do everything I can to support the work of Ovarian Cancer Action and help improve life for other women with the disease. I know just how important the charity's research and awareness work is, and I know it will continue to be so until ultimately researchers develop a cure for ovarian cancer".
Aidan's wife Marion died in October last year at the age of 38, after fighting ovarian for over 6 months. They had two young children when Marion died, and she was pregnant with the youngest when she was diagnosed.
Aidan wanted to do something to both celebrate Marion's life and also to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Action.
"I am honoured that so many people have volunteered to join me in fulfilling Marion's ambition and I can just picture her smiling down but insisting on not making a fuss. She loved life and this will be a celebration of hers."
A team of 100 family and friends took part in the Newry half marathon with a few others around the UK running in others events to support Aidan. To date the team has raised an astonishing £36,280.
Pat Pearse has just returned from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and has raised £11,800 through kind sponsors and various fundraising events, including a charity ball. Pat was inspired to take on this challenge in support of his wife who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10 years ago. The event was organised by David Lloyds of Woking and between 15 and 20 people took part supporting various charities. "My reasons for supporting the charity are varied, but some will know I have a strong personal reason very close to home. My wife Anne was diagnsoed with ovarian cancer in 2001 and with outstanding support and timely action by her GP, the local hospital and Charing Cross hospital, her treatment through chemotherapy and close monitoring has resulted in her being clear for the last 9 years. I have no doubt that had her condition not been diagnosed so quickly we would be in a different place now".
Well done Pat on this incredible feat!
If you've been inspired by Pat and would like to take on a challenge, contact the fundraising team at fundraising@ovarian.org.uk 0300 456 4704
Bethany lost her older sister Natasha to ovarian cancer in June 2008. Since 2006 Natasha’s family and friends have raised over £11,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action.
“It was a huge shock and a hard battle, but I keep all the happy memories and thoughts for my older sister Tash alive, every March I invite my close friends and family to help me fundraise in the annual Dash 4 Tash”.
In the first year Bethany completed 100 skips, the second year she ran one mile, the third she ran 4, and next year she is hoping to run 5 miles.
“Running with my brothers (Alex and Joe Hall) and my friends makes it a lot easier to achieve and makes me happy knowing that so many people are raising money for Ovarian Cancer Action and supporting my family in memory of Tash. My class at school (Millais, Horsham) has now chosen Ovarian Cancer Action as its Charity of the year, and we are hoping to do many fundraising events like cake sales and non-uniform days. My Primary School (Heron Way Primary School, Horsham) were amazing at helping me through such a hard time, they raised loads of money, selling badges and holding small fundraising events. We will continue the annual Dash 4 Tash and I hope it will get bigger and bigger every year and raisie more money. Tash was a truly inspirational Big Sister and not one day goes by when I don't think about her, I know that she will be so proud of what I have achieved and even though things were very hard, I know we have to keep the happy memories and never forget the reason why we are doing this, it’s great to be a part of such a fabulous charity”.
Bethany Hammerton-Cooke, Age 13