Sister’s cancer diagnosis inspires Horsham woman’s fundraiser despite own battle with ‘long Covid’

A Horsham woman with ‘long Covid’ has been doing 10,000 steps a day throughout March in support of her sister who was diagnosed with cancer last year.
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Despite her own ongoing health issues since catching the coronavirus last March, Jayne Tierney has been determined to complete the Walk All Over Cancer fundraiser for Cancer Research UK after being inspired by her sister, Jacqui’s, battle with stage 4 bowel cancer.

She said: “Last year was a tough one for me. Catching Covid in March resulted in a chest infection which was finally treated in June.

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“I was completely exhausted after doing simple tasks like walking round the block or walking up the stairs and then having to sleep in the afternoon.

“Three sets of antibiotics and two inhalers later to treat the damage and inflammation in my airways, I had a slightly better summer. September I relapsed again, and after seeing a respiratory consultant in November was finally diagnosed with long Covid and a clot in my right lung.

“I’ve just finished taking blood thinners, and every day I’m slowly getting stronger.

“My experience last year however cannot to compare to the cancer journey that my sister has had to go through in the last 12 months.

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“Her bravery, courage and sheer determination has been such an inspiration to me that I wanted to do this challenge.”

Jayne Tierney from Horsham has been walking 10,000 a day in March in support of her sister who has cancer SUS-210331-082404001Jayne Tierney from Horsham has been walking 10,000 a day in March in support of her sister who has cancer SUS-210331-082404001
Jayne Tierney from Horsham has been walking 10,000 a day in March in support of her sister who has cancer SUS-210331-082404001

With one day left to go of the challenge, Jayne had already walked 180 miles this month, totalling 392,351 steps while also raising £1,515 so far.

She has walked in all weathers, with her dog Chili alongside her every step of the way.

She has also been joined by husband, Mark, and children, Emma and William, during late night walks after work, while a few friends have also become great socially-distanced walking companions.

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Jayne has been posting regular pictures and updates about her progress on her fundraising page, and it was sister Jacqui’s idea to create a video to promote the challenge which features images of Jacqui’s personal experience with cancer to raise awareness and to inspire hope.

She said: “You may have seen me walking (slowly) around Horsham in my pink Cancer Research t-shirt. I was averaging around 2,500 to 3,000 steps some months last year so 10,000 a day was quite a step up – literally!.

“It’s been really hard but I’m keen to do as much as possible to raise money for this brilliant charity fighting this horrible disease that affects so many people.

“Please sponsor me if you can and help me Walk All Over Cancer and fund life-saving research by making a donation to my page.”

To see Jayne’s video, visit https://youtu.be/-t8ak4pVMkU