30 miles for 30 years - Lymphoma Action

If you’ve landed on this page, and you already know me, you’re probably thinking “What the hell is she doing now?” well, let me explain. For someone who is never short of something to say – this isn’t something I’ve spoken about much and turning 30 in January, seemed the perfect opportunity to do so.

On Saturday 11th January 2025, the day after my 30th birthday, I will be walking 30 miles from Garforth to Carlton in order to raise as much money as possible for a charity called Lymphoma Action. A cause very close to my heart, who have been providing information and support for over 35 years, helping thousands of people affected by this horrible disease. I didn’t realise how common this type of cancer is and recently learnt that every 26 minutes, one of us is diagnosed with Lymphoma.

As some may know, in 2014 I was 19 years old, when my Dad Steve was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Throughout the last year 10 years, whilst battling this illness, Dad has received 2 types of Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Tumour removal operations, he’s been pumped full of steroids and the list goes on. Not to mention, living alone during Covid, with just myself to rely on – a tough time for us both (especially, when I did his food shops wrong!). Fast forward to today, Dad’s cancer is under control but is not curable, meaning he will live with this for the rest of his life, but thankfully, he was well enough to walk me down the aisle – something we’ll never forget.

Speaking of weddings, just two weeks before my big day in May 2024, my Mum Julie, was also diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, after a year of misdiagnosis and doctors believing this to be a hernia. Yes you read that correctly, both my parents have the exact same type of cancer which as you can imagine smashed me in the face like a train. Mum underwent surgery and started Chemotherapy shortly after the wedding and continues to do so to this day.

As an only child, with two parents battling cancer, who live approximately 45 minutes apart, this has been a really tough time and I’ve had to find strength I didn’t know I had. As well as showing up everyday as a Mum, wife, friend and employee. I have decided to take on this challenge solo, not only to raise as much money for the charity as possible but also to give myself some time to think about the lasting affects of Lymphoma for those diagnosed and their families. I am very aware that I am not the first, or the last person to have parents who have cancer and I am still coming to terms with how my life now looks. However, why not take a negative and turn it into a positive? So now over to you guys; please help me raise as much money as possible for the UK’s only charity dedicated to Lymphoma, whilst spreading awareness of the signs and symptoms.

Please donate whatever possible and don’t forget to leave a song request for my walking playlist, I’ll need something to help me get through the 30 miles!

On the day, if you want to cheer me on. There will be 2 check in points, approximately every 10 miles where I’d love to see as many encouraging faces as possible. The check in times I’m aiming for are:

Roughly 11:30AM – Rivers MEET, Methley

And around 02:30PM – Salute, Rothwell

With the finish line being The Unicorn Pub, Carlton where there will be an evening of drinks, music, 30th celebrations and more fundraising! This will start from 6pm, ensuring you all have time to get a drink before I aim to cross the finish line at 6:30pm.

Wow, turns out I did have a lot to say, I better stop blabbering and get back to training! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, it means the world!

Imogen xx