A Sheffield woman has planned to walk a hundred miles in May to fundraise for the charity Breast Cancer Now after her stepmom was diagnosed in November 2023.

The challenge is part of a larger initiative by Breast Cancer Now to finance ‘life changing science and support’. 

Keeley Watkinson, 22, an apprentice nursery practitioner, from S10 said: “You don’t realise how suffering with cancer can impact people’s lives until you experience it with someone you love or care about.

“In November 2023 my stepmom got diagnosed with breast cancer, a truly lovely lady that has been in mine and my sisters’ lives since we were 13, 11 and six.

“Until you see someone you care about go through it, you can’t fully grasp how much support matters.”

Miss Watkinson will be spreading out the distance by walking approximately 3.5 miles per day on her way to and from work, as well as around a nearby reservoir at the weekends.

She said: “It’s for my stepmum, and for everyone else facing this battle. It’s for the families who are learning, like I did, just how real this is. And it’s to help make sure that no one has to go through it alone.”

So far, £210 has been raised, which is 60% of her £350 target.

She said: “The response to my funding has been positive, I’ve had lots of support from friends, family, and colleagues.”

“To the people who donate, it will be deeply appreciated, and all funds raised go to this amazing cause to research deeper into cancer prevention.

 “I couldn’t thank anyone enough.”

So far, 1,370 people have signed up to take part in the challenge, with over £289,000 being  raised.

The money donated will go towards research into the disease, helping the charity reach their goal, ‘that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer lives, and is supported to live well’.

According to Breast Cancer Now, in the 31 days of May the disease will take over a thousand lives in the UK.

You can donate to Miss Watkinson’s fundraising campaign here.