Survivor Nichola Whymark takes on birthday challenge to thank Ipswich Hospital
Nichola Whymark and her brother Alastair Wright. - Credit: Archant
A cancer survivor is pledging to complete 40 challenges before her 40th birthday in a bid to raise £10,000 for charity.
Breast cancer survivor Nichola Whymark is taking on 40 challenges before her 40th birthday. - Credit: Archant
Nichola Whymark will complete marathons, cycle rides, wind surfing, hot coals, a North Sea dip and will even attempt to break a world record.
She will embark on her first test this weekend by walking from Martlesham to Southwold in two days, and aims to complete the other 39 before her birthday on February 22, 2017.
Mrs Whymark, of Coopers Road, Martlesham, was diagnosed with cancer in both her breasts in September 2013.
She underwent a double mastectomy later that year and is now on the road to recovery, but is still receiving treatment.
To say thank you to the staff who have cared for her at Ipswich Hospital, Mrs Whymark will donate half the money to the hospital’s Macmillan Woolverstone Wish and the other half to Cancer Research UK, which she works as the Suffolk fundraising manager for.
“The 40 challenges is all about pushing myself again to celebrate survival,” Mrs Whymark added.
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“I thought I would be sensible as I wanted to do big events so I have given myself 18 months leading up to my 40th.”
Not all of Mrs Whymark’s events will be physical ventures, she also plans to take on more quirky challenges such as learning to say ‘I love you’ in 40 different languages, getting 40 different dog breeds on a walk, visiting 40 pubs in 40 hours, partying sunset to sunrise and singing for 40 minutes in public.
She has already raised more than £10,000 for Cancer Research UK by taking part in The Southwold Run and The London Marathon.The official target for the ’40 Before The Big 40’ challenge is £4,000, but Mrs Whymark said she hoped to reach £10,000 again.
To donate, visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Nics40BeforeTheBig40
