Wiveliscombe to Woolacombe to improve survival rates of pancreatic cancer
60 miles is the distance that Shelley Godwin will be courageously trekking in her fundraising challenge ‘Walk 49’ raising vital funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action. Starting at her home in Wiveliscombe on the 25th April, following footpaths, camping and staying in B&B’s along the way, she will be finishing her walk in Woolacombe.
Shelley’s motivation for the walk is to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer as her husband Guy Wilkes sadly 
passed away from the disease in 2012. He had the classic symptoms of pain in his stomach and back as well as unexplained weight loss which led to his diagnosis in September 2011. After a scan which showed a tumour on his pancreas he was told that it was inoperable so he started chemotherapy which sadly couldn’t shrink it. Guy passed away on 3rd April 2012 in his home in Wiveliscombe.
“My walk to Woolacombe was inspired because we spent many happy (and wet!) camping holidays at Morthoe, near Woolacombe. Guy adored the sea and any spare time at weekends we would go there with the children and our bodyboards. His wish was to be scattered at Morte Point which we did and my walk passes by the spot just a couple of miles from Woolacombe.”
“The work that Pancreatic Cancer Action is doing to educate the medical profession and the general public to identify early symptoms in patients is crucial to saving lives. It is such a painful and quick progressing cancer, the importance of early diagnosis is paramount.”
Pancreatic Cancer Action is committed to working towards earlier diagnosis of the disease so that surgery, currently the only cure, is made available to the sufferer. The charity fund research into early diagnosis, provide medical education programmes, and launch awareness campaigns.
Ali Stunt, Founder of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are delighted that Shelley is giving her time to take on this incredible challenge and support Pancreatic Cancer Action. Guy’s symptoms were very similar to most with pancreatic cancer and this is a great way to turn this sad story into something positive.”
”We rely solely on donations from the public and thanks to people like Shelley we can continue our vital work. Please back her in her fundraising efforts so that we can continue research into early diagnosis and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”
To sponsor Shelley and read more about her story please visit her Just Giving page http://www.justgiving.com/Walk49forpancreaticcanceraction