Inspiring breast cancer survivor Nichola Whymark has hardly sat down since she was well enough to stand.
In the three years since her diagnosis the intrepid campaigner has run, cycled, climbed, swum, sung and danced – all to raise money for life-saving research to combat cancer.
Today, Mrs Whymark is more than half way through her mission of completing 40 challenges before her 40th birthday in a bid to collect £4,040 for Cancer Research UK and the Macmillan Woolverstone Wish Cancer Centre at Ipswich Hospital.
And for Mrs Whymark, the 18-month project has provided so much more than health benefits.
“For me I have used it as a way to take my mind off what I have been through,” said Mrs Whymark, of Coopers Road, Martlesham. “I have used it more as therapy and it’s not for everyone, some people turn to art or writing, some people campaign and get political, but for me it was all about the fitness because that was my passion before I was diagnosed.
“It’s tough because even though the worst is over you do over think things and it does play on your mind, will it come back, the impact it’s had on my family, the fact that I might not be able to have children, so if I do something so mad like these 40 challenges it helps me because it keeps me focused on positive stuff.”
One of Mrs Whymark’s aims was to host a world record attempt for the largest number of people self-examining their breasts for cancer in one area, which was due to be held on October 2 at Foxhall Community Centre. However, the event has been postponed until next year to give Mrs Whymark more time to plan it and she will take on a different trial in its place as part of the 40 challenges, which finishes on February 22, 2017.
Mrs Whymark is now preparing to take on the The Suffolk Whole Hog on October 16 and the Dublin Marathon on October 30 – all while recovering from a 100-mile cycle ride.
“It’s just been absolutely brilliant, really good fun, I recommend something like this to anyone, not just people who have gone through cancer,” added Mrs Whymark.
To donate to Mrs Whymark’s cause, people can visit the Tesco store at Martlesham on December 11 when she will be collecting cash from 9am, or visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Nics40BeforeTheBig40
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