Pickering 20th birthday challenges

I'm raising money in aid of The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

In February 2022, I was unfortunately diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. The Pickering Centre have been there for me and my family ever since, supporting us at each stage of my treatment.

2024 marks the 20th birthday of Pickering Cancer. So, as a way to share my gratitude to them, I will be taking on 20 challenges throughout the year to raise funds and raise awareness of this incredible local charity.

I have now completed all of my twenty challenges:

1. I’ve ’cast the FIRST stone’ by taking a dip in the freezing cold sea on the first day of the year. 

2. My amazing husband and I rode a bicycle made for TWO across Tunbridge Wells.

3. THREE generations of my family took on the three peaks challenge across three days, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. 

4. I was firing on all FOUR cylinders, taking a ride in four beautiful classic cars to all four corners of the world.

5. I learnt how to give a bunch of FIVES in a boxing lesson and had an incredible day with a FIVE gold ring winner, Dame Kelly Holmes. 

6. A ramble through the Hundred Acre Wood dressed as Winnie the Pooh, based on the book ‘Now we are SIX’. 

7. Creating a Secret SEVEN treasure trail around SEVENoaks. 

8. Milking a herd of cows ‘EIGHT maids a milking’, and running a pirate treasure event ‘pieces of EIGHT’

9. A stitch in time, saves NINE! An upcycling and embroidery challenge supported by Arty Farty Retreat. 

10. TEN green bottles - spreading the word about Pickering across 10 local pubs. 10 little fingers - a hand casting for myself and my fabulous husband by Louise Giblin. 

11. Ringing the bell at the ELEVENTH hour at Trinity Theatre and working a shift at Eggs Eleven. 

12. A twelve mile hike along the Thames pathway towards Regents Park theatre for a performance of TWELFTH night. 

13. A baker’s dozen! Baking session with Rosemary Schrager followed by a cake sale supported by Ruby & Jo, Southborough. A half marathon run around Tunbridge Wells with Jez and eldest son, Sam.

14. Love is all around…linked to Valentines Tattoos at FOURTEEN arrows and a heart based treasure trail to raise awareness of Pickering. 

15. A scrum of FIFTEEN with TWRFC

16. Sweet SIXTEEN! Deliveries of candy and treats within the local area.

17. Dancing queen, young and sweet, only SEVENTEEN! A dance medley of 17 movies with Marianne Amos and wonderful friends. 

The Pickering Paddlers, a crew of 17, competed in the Dragon Boat festival at Bewl Water. We paddled hard and reached the final, placing 4th! Totally oar-some!

18. 18 holes of golf ⛳️ 

19. Singing with a live band, The Heartbeats, to one of Adele’s songs from her album ‘19’. 

20. TWENTY questions quiz night.

If you are local to Tunbridge Wells and know of anyone who is affected by cancer in any way, please signpost them to the Pickering Centre. There is no need to make an appointment, you can just drop in and chat with the supportive team.

Most people are affected by cancer during their lives and many find this a traumatic and lonely experience. Pickering Centre aim to help and support anyone going through the emotional upset of cancer, from diagnosis onwards be they patients, their partners, children, friends or carers. They offer a safe, relaxing, friendly environment where mutual support and information can be found, without the pressure of appointments or time restraints. They offer a wide range of complementary therapies and all are free of charge.