Why Cancer Counselling

Local fundraiser and finalist in the ITV Pride of Britain Awards Rachel Clark will be marking the 25th anniversary of cancer counselling charity We Hear You (WHY) in 2019 with a ‘365 miles for WHY’ challenge: running a mile every day, whatever the weather. Rachel has raised more than £30,000 for local causes since 2011 in memory of her mother Shirley and organised 2018’s 24-hour rowing relay, raising £7700 for WHY. 2019 will also see a third world record attempt in June, attempting to beat the existing world record of 468 participants in a continuous eight-hour game of skittles.

People from the local community will be able to sign up via the event website to track Rachel’s progress and routes and to join Rachel on one or more of her runs – the only conditions are that participants must run in a WHY t-shirt and make a donation to WHY. Rachel says ‘In their 25th anniversary year I really want to go the extra mile! I want to commit to something every day. With a demanding full-time job it has to be something very versatile that I can do wherever I am, whatever the weather. It’s not about the distance or how quickly I can run, it's about commitment. To raise awareness and funds I am asking people to join me a few times a week on the condition that they wear a WHY t-shirt and donate. It’s so important for me to give back to a vital service in my community, a service that helped me cope with my own grief. It’s the very least I can do.’

Fundraising and Communications Manager Gemma Wilkes says ‘Rachel has once again come up with a unique and memorable challenge to celebrate our anniversary and is the person most likely to see it through, even on the days when going for a run feels like the worst idea in the world! Despite a busy and demanding career, she uses her extraordinary drive, energy and organisational skills to help us both from a fundraising and awareness-raising perspective and we’re so grateful to her for all her support. We’ll be with you in spirit and now and then in person throughout the year!’

To sponsor Rachel please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/365forWHY. You can also follow Rachel’s progress and find a link to an event website, currently under construction, at facebook.com/365-miles-for-WHY and Instagram at @365forWHY.

To find out more about WHY’s free professional counselling service for anyone affected or bereaved by cancer or another life threatening condition, please email info@wehearyou.org.uk or call 01373455255.