Billingshurst mum, 45, diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, is ‘blown away’ by support for hospice fundraiser

Ali Barter was told she had stage four lung cancer just days before Christmas last year after suffering symptoms including breathlessness.

The mum-of-two said: “It took a few weeks to get my head around it. I never even dreamt – never imagined lung cancer. I was just thinking of my husband, my children.

“You just think it’s a death sentence. It was really awful.”

Ali, who regularly walked, ran and cycled, said she was put on chemotherapy before tests showed she was eligible for targeted therapy delivered in tablet form.

The treatment has improved Ali’s symptoms and the mum has now launched a fundraiser to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice, who are set to support her as her cancer progresses.

Ali said: “I have entered the Conqueror Lands End to John O’Groats Virtual Challenge which will require me to either run, walk or cycle a total of 1083 miles.

“I will complete it as quickly as I can but have given myself 12 weeks as a target end date.

“Those of you that know me, already know I have completed several marathons, half marathons, have run the Three Peaks and successfully completed the Cyprus Walkdown (24 mile orienteering/run) but this will be different.

“Different because of my lung cancer. I am just at the start of my treatment journey and I am still struggling with movement a little and my breathing but I am hoping in time this will ease as my treatment progresses.

“So, where as normally I would have promised you I would run the whole thing, I know, some days my body might not allow me, so I will get out and walk or cycle instead if I can.

“One thing I can promise you is that I will complete this!”

Set up on Sunday, January 11, more than £900 has already been donated to the hospice.

Ali said: “It’s just amazing. It’s blown me away. I’m pretty speechless.”

She added that workers at the hospice have already been ‘really lovely’.

Arron Trott, events fundraiser at St Catherine’s Hospice said: “We’re so grateful to Ali for taking on such an incredible challenge to support our hospice and for so selflessly thinking of others after her own recent diagnosis.

“In less than 24 hours, Ali’s already made a huge difference by raising over £1,000 and we can’t wait to follow her progress as she completes her challenge. We wish her lots of luck!”

To donate to Ali’s fundraiser click here.