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PRESS
RELEASE Yvonne's ride (in thanks) for her life
And, despite some pain, that is what 42-year-old Yvonne, who has just moved from Wardle and her native Rochdale to Knutsford, Cheshire, has done. Accompanied by close friend Lesley Hopley of Milnrow on her horse Jack, and with immense support from family friends and equine circles, she rode for 250 miles between Barrow-in-Furness, Rochdale and Shrewsbury raising £10,475 for the noted Pat Seed Appeal of Manchester's famous cancer centre. Which is why the horse blanket Lesley and Yvonne (centre) are holding in the photo is significant. It covered Danny Boy during the gruelling three week 18 mile a day ride as the two women trotted from top to bottom of the huge territory served by Christie's specialist cancer care. For the last four years Yvonne has needed that care. At 38 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and, shortly after her 40th birthday, with secondary cancers in her liver, spine and shoulder. But, after 15 months of further treatment at Christie's, the cancer is under control and Yvonne is in remission. "I am back on chemotherapy but in tablet form - not injections- which shows how much they have advanced the treatments in three years," she explained. "My husband Brian and sons Stuart and Christopher have all been great, but Danny Boy made a big difference. When I first climbed on him he had not been properly broken in. Very gently I climbed on his back. To be honest I was probably too weak to be riding but is was something I really needed to do - and it was wonderful." It took a year to plan the ride. They set off hoping to raise £8,000. Ex-army man Brian, who has himself had a triple heart by pass, followed them in a 4x4. The two women kept to bridle paths where possible, staying overnight at pre-booked accommodation and accepting many donations en-route. The Mayor of Barrow saw them off and they had a week's break in their native Rochdale where they were received by the Mayor and comedian Jimmy Cricket. In Shrewbury they were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor and a local radio station. "Our two horses never put a foot wrong," said Yvonne. "They needed re-shoeing three times during such a long ride - approx. £90 a time - but each farrier waived his fee. The horse riding fraternity, have all been wonderful. Feed stock suppliers, equipment makers and shops have all given while Chapel-en-le-Frith and District Bridleways group raised £2,500 of the money," said Yvonne. It will all be used to support one of the key projects of the 'Christie's' £25m appeal - going towards the latest £1.5 million 'double doughnut' scanner. This shows real time images and so, if necessary, enables surgeons to operate while a patient is being scanned. Understandably, Yvonne tires quickly, but tries to ride Danny Boy three or four times a week. "The main thing is I have a Life! "That's why the challenge of the ride for Christie's was so important to me." And, next year, Yvonne aims to cross the country from Blackpool to Bridlington - on FOOT. "You must never give in," she added.
Ends For further information contact
Yvonne on 0403 863759 |
General Charitable Fund Registered Charity No 1049751 |
Just
being able to get on her beloved horse Danny Boy after successful treatment
for cancer was not enough for mum Yvonne Keighley. She determined to mount
her own fund raising campaign for The Christie.
In the picture: Riders Lesley
Hopley (centre left) Yvonne Keighley and husband Brian present their horse
blankets - and the cheque. Supporting them (left to right) are Dr Bernadette
Carrington, Dr Peter Wilkinson, Pauline Heaton, organiser of the Pat Seed
Appeal, Sheila Oliver and Brenda Hallsworth both of Chapel and District
Bridleways, and Lesley's husband Tony Hopley.