Memory walk for Denise
After recently losing her best friend, Denise Lloyd, to pancreatic cancer, Sheila Fairclough decided that she wanted to do something in memory of her and organised a Striding for Survival event.
Sheila and Denise had been best friends since their school days together. Denise sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer 17 months after diagnosis.
As Denise had such a huge love of nature, Sheila decided to organise a walk in Denise’s memory on what would have been her birthday. Sheila described her as, “A free spirit and a very giving person. She was so loving and wanted to help others”.
Sheila organised the event in her local park, Newsham Park, in Liverpool where she was joined by Denise’s partner, six children, two grandchildren and loads of Denise’s friends. They also decided to fundraise for Pancreatic Cancer Action and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
Striding for Survival
The walk’s route was organised to finish at one of the park’s cafes where everyone was welcomed to cakes and drinks. One of PCA’s community volunteers and pancreatic cancer survivor, Shaun Walsh gave a speech about his survival story and local Mancunian, Liam Paul attended to perform a rendition of Denise’s favourite song, Brown Eyed Girl. Balloons were also released with personal messages for Denise for her birthday.
Denise’s eldest daughter Natalia said, “I’m really grateful to Sheila for organising everything. We have been finding things difficult – this is the first birthday without her – so this means the world to us, and we know mum thought a lot of Sheila.”
The event raised a total of £275 which has been received by Pancreatic Cancer Action. We are incredibly grateful for this donation and to Sheila and Denise’s family for their support.
Would you like to Organise Your Own Stride event?
By organising a Striding for Survival event, you can support our vision while supporting someone who has pancreatic cancer or in memory of a loved one.
Whether it’s a walk around your local park or a trek through the countryside: you can unite friends, family, and even the local community for an enjoyable walk.
Every stride you take will help raise vital funds and awareness of pancreatic cancer and help us improve early diagnosis.
Your support will help us fund vital research, launch symptoms awareness campaigns, provide educational courses for primary care professionals and produce information for patients and clinicians.
To find out more or request your Organise Your Own Stride fundraising pack, click here.