Daughter raises money in honour of her brave mum

The courage of a woman with a difficult cancer diagnosis has inspired her daughter to raise more than £5,500 for our charity.

Sue Exley, 63, was successfully treated for breast cancer in 2017, but in April this year doctors discovered she had a secondary breast cancer of the brain.

Sue, from Stamford Bridge, is facing an uncertain future with bravery and positivity, said her daughter Jayne Sykes. She is getting her life organised while planning fun activities with her friends and family.

Sue said: “While I have been given a limited time frame, I feel very privileged to have been given this time to spend with loved ones. Due to unforeseen circumstances, many people going about their daily business in life do not get that opportunity to go home at night.”

Among the things we at York Against Cancer are providing for Sue are pampering sessions, treatments such as reiki and reflexology and a stay at one of its seaside respite properties.

And Sue’s amazing attitude has prompted Jayne to take on a demanding running challenge for us.

“Mum showed great courage to overcome the initial diagnosis and I have been inspired by her strength in adversity,” said Jayne. “She’s only 63, has always looked after herself, kept very active and never smoked, so it doesn’t seem fair, but she has a really positive outlook on life and is very pleased with what she has achieved.

“York Against Cancer has offered her support and treats – things which we all take for granted when we are well but which, when fighting cancer, feel like a wonderful bonus, to give people hope and something to look forward to – a holiday by the sea or a pamper session.  I wanted to do something to give others that hope.”

Jayne had been a runner ‘intermittently’ but was not sure if she could face a half-marathon. However, with her mum and dad cheering her on, she successfully ran the Fleet half-marathon in Hampshire last month, raising £5,376 including gift aid for us.

“It was good to have the family around to see me off and back again,” she said. “I was really pleased to have raised the money that I have – people were very generous.”

Not content to rest on her laurels, Jayne has now put her name forward for the London Marathon, and Sue is very proud of her daughter. “I think what she’s done is tremendous,” she said.

Julie Russell, our general manager, said she was touched that Sue had nominated us as her chosen charity and amazed at the generosity of Jayne and all those who supported her.

“The money is vital for us to carry on offering services like those we’ve been proud to offer Sue,” she said.