Thanks to You Awards

Jane was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2022 and, although she was surrounded by her loved ones, she still found it to be an isolating experience. When her treatment ended, she knew that she wanted to do something to help other people feel less alone – and she found her calling as a Macmillan Community Champion.

“Through my own cancer journey I have experienced first-hand the fear, anxiety, the emotional and practical challenges that people can face when dealing with a diagnosis,” Jane explains. “I wanted to give back in a meaningful way, and I agree with Macmillan’s values of compassion, dignity, support and community.”

As part of the Online Community team, Jane volunteers in the Womb Cancer forum as well as across other groups. She offers a kind word, reassurance and practical advice to people who may be newly diagnosed, in treatment, or navigating life afterwards. She checks in every day, determined that nobody’s post should go unanswered.

“I believe that every post deserves a supportive response,” she says. “Whatever type of cancer someone is going through there are always similar worries – testing, diagnosis, the side effects of treatment, and waiting for results.”

Jane’s empathy shines through in every interaction. Since joining the Online Community in 2023, she has shared more than 4,000 posts, each one rooted in understanding and compassion. She knows that sometimes the smallest gestures can mean the most.

“Sometimes people just need a hand to hold in the dark times and that is what we offer,” she says. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from – you are never alone on the Online Community.”

But Jane’s dedication extends beyond peer support. She also reviews Macmillan’s online content and booklets to ensure information is accurate, accessible and sensitive to the realities of living with cancer. Her insight as someone with lived experience has been invaluable in helping Macmillan reach and reassure others.

She’s also a gifted writer, using her personal blog posts to break down taboos and offer honesty about treatment side effects and emotional recovery. Her post on hair loss alone reached over 17,000 readers.

“When I knew that I had to have chemotherapy, one of my main concerns was hair loss,” she says. “It was hard to share photos of when I was at my most vulnerable, but I felt it was important to give a true reflection of the experience.”

For Jane, volunteering brings meaning, purpose and connection.

“Knowing that my volunteer work has made a difference to people affected by cancer is incredibly humbling and rewarding,” she says. “It’s not about big gestures, but about being consistent, compassionate, and present. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, sharing vital information, or just being a friendly presence in the community, every small action adds up.”

When Mohammad was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, it came after months of uncertainty and misdiagnosis. As well as being supported by Macmillan nurses throughout his cancer journey, he also regularly phoned the Macmillan Support Line to talk through his feelings while he was isolated in hospital during the pandemic.

“They were just so kind, and they never rushed me,” he says. “Then, when I came home from hospital, I felt lost and I didn't recognise the person in the mirror. I had several different counsellors who tried to help me with my mental health, but it was the Macmillan psychologist who helped me grieve my former self and helped me reshape who I am today.”

All those conversations became a vital lifeline and a reminder that he wasn’t facing cancer alone.

Throughout his treatment, Mohammad found strength in writing. What began as a way to process the shock of diagnosis soon became a blog – a way to reach others who might be feeling just as lost.

“When I was diagnosed, I didn't really see anybody else out there who represented me – there were no other young British Pakistani men with bowel cancer on social media,” he says. “I said to my wife that change often comes from within, so maybe I could be that example for other people. I decided to put myself out there, share my story and try to make a difference.”

Since then, Mohammad has become one of Macmillan’s most recognisable storytellers, sharing his experience with honesty and courage. He has spoken about the taboos that can surround cancer within his community, about men’s mental health, and about the realities of life after treatment.

“It's important to talk about the disabilities that can come from cancer,” he says. “People often think that you either have cancer or you're in remission, but there's so much more to it than that. Cancer can affect you for the rest of your life.”

Surgery left Mohammad with chronic nerve damage, meaning he now needs to use a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get around, and he lives with a stoma. But rather than shy away from these changes, he has used them to educate and empower others by taking part in Macmillan’s Cancer & Disability project and becoming one of the faces of the Whoever You Are brand campaign.

Mohammad says that seeing his image on a billboard for the first time was a moment that he and his family will never forget.

“My children spotted my face first, and they were just jumping for joy,” he says. “Their faces lit up and they were so proud. All that really matters to me is how they see me – so if they see that I am trying to do my best and make a change, then I hope it inspires them.”

Mohammad’s openness has touched thousands, breaking down barriers and sparking new conversations about cancer, culture and identity. He continues to balance family life with volunteering, working tirelessly to help others feel seen, supported and hopeful. Through his honesty and his willingness to be seen, he’s helping others to talk more openly, ask for help, and know they’re not alone.

When Lucy joined the charity team at Greene King, one of the UK’s leading pub companies, she brought a fresh perspective and bold ambition to a partnership already steeped in success. Having started her career in a local hospice and gone on to manage major corporate charity relationships, she understood both the heart and the mechanics of making meaningful impact.

In less than two years, Lucy has helped the partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support reach record-breaking heights, playing a pivotal role in helping Greene King raise a phenomenal £3.9 million in 2024 – the highest total in the partnership’s 13-year history – as well as celebrating an extraordinary £20 million milestone overall. In 2025, the partnership is already on its way to matching last year’s remarkable results and continues to build momentum.

But Lucy’s influence isn’t measured only in pounds and pints. She’s transformed the way Greene King and Macmillan work together, ensuring the partnership continues to grow in creativity, reach and relevance. One of her most successful innovations was moving the annual fundraising campaign from May to March, aligning it with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The newly named Macmillan March raised £411,000 – a 9% increase on the previous year – while helping people understand how Macmillan’s funding supports life-changing services.

Lucy also helped organise the partnership’s first-ever Abseil at the Races at York Raceday, where Greene King’s executive team swapped their work shoes for harnesses and raised over £19,000. And through a ground-breaking collaboration with Toolstation and TalkSPORT, she championed the #ShoulderToShoulder campaign – a powerful initiative tackling stigma around men’s health and encouraging open conversations about cancer. Broadcast live from a Greene King pub beer garden, the event brought people together in true community spirit and reached entirely new audiences.

“I may manage the partnership, but I wouldn't be able to do the work I do without the incredible teams in our pubs and the network of incredible people in our business that are banging the drum for Macmillan and helping us to reach more and more people every day,” says Lucy. “I'm endlessly proud of this partnership.”

Always ready to raise the bar, Lucy has introduced new ways to analyse data and measure impact, helping both Greene King and Macmillan see exactly where every pound poured into fundraising makes the most difference. Her latest rallying cry – £25 Million in 2025 – has inspired teams company-wide and earned the backing of Greene King’s senior leaders.

“I'm not the kind of person who can sit still – I think there's always scope for us to do more,” Lucy says. “I'm driven by the fact that the Macmillan team – from healthcare professionals to support line staff – are out there delivering incredible work. It gives me the motivation to make sure every day I go to work, I'm doing something that I can be proud of.”

When Sbba was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022, her life changed overnight.

“My diagnosis turned my world upside down. I'd never even heard of ovarian cancer beforehand. It was the most traumatic experience of my life – not only because of the shock of the cancer itself, but also because of the health inequalities that I experienced and the shocking taboos and stigmas that my own community threw at me.

“After 18 months of pure hell, I woke up to the fact that I wasn't the only member of the South Asian community going through this. It occurred to me that if we're not talking about cancer, then how are we going to deal with it? That really spurred me on to do something about it.”

And she did. Instead of retreating, Sbba used her voice and her platform as a radio broadcaster to spark conversations that too often go unspoken. Partnering with Macmillan, she created a podcast series exploring cancer through a South Asian lens. Across six powerful episodes, she spoke with clinicians, counsellors, advocates and people affected by cancer, addressing cultural taboos, highlighting health inequalities and showing listeners the many ways Macmillan can offer support. The podcast went on to win a national award: The Arqiva British Asian Media Award for Best Podcast.

Sbba’s broadcasts made difficult subjects accessible and helped people feel seen, informed and understood. She also went on to host radio phone-ins and coffee mornings, while creating safe spaces for people to share their stories.

Beyond her broadcasting work, Sbba’s campaigning and advocacy work also extends to numerous other ovarian cancer charities, as well as being a patient voice representative on the National Cancer Plan.

In 2023, Sbba was invited to speak at Macmillan’s annual Coffee Morning event in Parliament – addressing more than 170 MPs about the realities of cancer care and the urgent need for greater awareness and funding.

“Change has to come from the top down,” she says. “But it starts with people like us talking openly about what we’re going through.”

Behind all of her advocacy lies a powerful motivation.

“My driving force has always been my daughters. I went through a very difficult time, and it's not something I ever want them to have to experience. I felt that I could perhaps change things by sharing my story. I felt that if I were to talk about it, then maybe other people would start talking about it too, and we wouldn't have these scenarios where people bury their head in the sand. We need these conversations to become normalised.”

Sbba also runs Knit Your Socks Off – a community group that creates knitted and crocheted items for local charities and hospitals. The group began when she made socks for a friend with breast cancer and has since grown into a warm network of support and creativity.

“I've got so much out of volunteering myself, so if there's one thing I want people to know, it's that when you volunteer, you get a lot back in return. It's not physical or tangible, but it is that feeling of peace – that feeling of warmth that you get when you've been able to support somebody at their very lowest. If you're considering volunteering, then do it!”

Read more from Sbba: “I want to normalise the conversation within the South Asian community around gynaecological health and cancer.”

When Sheila joined the newly formed Macmillan Thurso Committee back in 1971, she couldn’t have imagined that more than half a century later she’d still be at its heart. Nor could she have envisaged that her small committee in the far north of Scotland would go on to become a prolific fundraising group that would raise over half a million pounds for people living with cancer.

Living just 20 miles from John o’ Groats, Sheila has been a pillar of her local community for more than five decades. Her volunteering began after a conversation with her sister, who worked as a Macmillan nurse.

“She told me all about the incredible work that Macmillan does, and by the end of that phone call I knew I had to join the committee,” Sheila recalls.

Over the years, Sheila has organised and supported every kind of community fundraiser imaginable – from coffee mornings and bingo nights to craft fairs, bucket collections, Highland Games stalls and raffles that bring neighbours together across Thurso and Caithness. Her approach has always been genuine and heartfelt: to create events that unite people and raise funds in equal measure.

Today as Secretary of the Thurso Fundraising Group, as the committee is now called, she still helps organise around a dozen events each year. A spare bedroom in her home has even become a mini Macmillan store, filled with raffle and tombola prizes donated by supporters.

“The local community is so generous with donations – it’s unbelievable, really,” she says. “Because I’ve been in this area all my life, people know where I live and they’re always popping over with prizes, monetary gifts, and donations for Macmillan. It’s wonderful.”

Sheila’s connection to Macmillan is deeply personal. Two of her three daughters were diagnosed with breast cancer, and she has also faced the illness herself. Through it all, she has remained committed to helping others, finding comfort and purpose in giving back.

“As a family, we've received so much excellent care and treatment from Macmillan nurses, it has meant so much to me to be able to give something back in my spare time to a charity that has been so good to us,” she says.

As part of her role, Sheila has written thousands of handwritten thank-you letters to supporters – ensuring that every donor, no matter how big or small their contribution, receives a personal note of appreciation. It’s this care and attention that has built such loyalty and warmth between Macmillan and the people of Thurso.

“I want to thank the incredible people of Caithness who have been so generous over the years,” says Sheila. “What’s more, I want to say a huge thank you to every member of the fundraising group – everything that we have achieved has been a group effort.”

Humble and community-minded to the last, Sheila’s compassion and her quiet leadership embody the very best of what Macmillan volunteers stand for. Through decades of fundraising, friendship and faith in others, Sheila has shown that even the smallest town can make an extraordinary difference – and that the most powerful acts of support often begin close to home.

When Nathaniel was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer at just 36, everything he thought he knew about his future shifted in an instant.

“When you’re given that diagnosis,” he says, “you walk out of that room a completely different person.”

From the start, Nathaniel chose to focus on what he could do to help others. He quickly went on to become one of Macmillan’s most inspiring volunteers – a storyteller, fundraiser and advocate whose honesty and courage have reached people across the UK.

Nathaniel’s first contact with Macmillan came through the charity’s cancer information and guidance, which helped him navigate an uncertain new world.

“Macmillan really are there for people living with cancer and their loved ones,” he says. “I used their information at the beginning, and I will no doubt need their support again, so I’m beyond proud to support this wonderful charity.”

A professional musician and teacher, Nathaniel began fundraising in unforgettable style. In 2024, he completed the London Marathon while playing the trombone – a remarkable achievement that captured people’s imagination and raised thousands for Macmillan. He went on to walk and run from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 60 days that summer, averaging 20 miles a day and totalling three million steps. This year he went the extra mile for Macmillan once more by taking part in the London Marathon again. In total he has now raised over £50,000, including Gift Aid.

“I have been very lucky to be able to do quite a lot of living since my diagnosis,” he says of his fundraising adventures.

Even as his health has declined, Nathaniel’s commitment has never faltered. Next February, he plans to host a ‘farewell’ concert in London to mark World Cancer Day, blending his passion for music with his mission to fundraise and support others.

Beyond his fundraising, Nathaniel says his proudest achievement is using his voice to raise awareness and understanding. Through countless interviews, media appearances and Macmillan campaigns, he has spoken openly about living with advanced cancer and encouraged others to get checked early.

“I try to do whatever I can to tell people to get screened,” he says. “It’s a message worth shouting from the rooftops because I don’t want people to end up like me. I will continue to do this as long as I have breath left in me.”

Nathaniel’s advocacy has included working closely with policymakers, including the Health Secretary, helping highlight Macmillan’s vital role in supporting people with cancer at a national level. His efforts have been recognised widely – from receiving an MBE for services to cancer awareness to a personal letter from the Prime Minister commending his huge impact on the country’s health mission.

Through all this, Nathaniel’s motivation remains simple: to make life better for others living with cancer. With warmth, wit and extraordinary resilience, he has turned his experience into a force for good – showing how one person’s story can change the way others see, act and care.

For holistic therapist Joanne, volunteering with Macmillan is a way of giving back to the people who once supported her own family through cancer. A trained Reiki and reflexology practitioner, she offers calming, restorative therapies to people living with cancer at her local Macmillan Cancer Support Centre – helping them find moments of peace in the midst of treatment and recovery. 

Both of Joanne’s parents were cared for by Macmillan nurses, and their compassion left a lasting mark. 

“They were absolutely fabulous,” she says. “Macmillan has always been there for my family, so I knew that I wanted to give something back. When one of my friends told me that the local hospital was looking for someone to offer Reiki to people with cancer, it sounded ideal and I got in touch straight away.”

Through her volunteering, Joanne helps people to manage pain, anxiety, fatigue, and sleeplessness. Her sessions create a space where patients can simply rest – emotionally, mentally, and physically.

“These treatments give people with cancer something different to come to hospital for,” she explains. “It’s a calm space instead of a clinical one.”

Her therapy room feels worlds away from the wards outside – softly lit, filled with gentle music and the scent of aromatherapy oils. Some patients drift into deep relaxation; others use the hour to talk, reflect or just breathe.

“It gives them an hour of nothingness,” Joanne says. “For people having a tough time, that hour can mean everything.”

Her holistic approach reaches far beyond the physical. Reiki, she explains, helps calm the mind and body through stillness and energy flow, while reflexology can ease the nerve pain or discomfort caused by treatment.

“Some people come in feeling really down, and then go out with a smile on their face,” she says. “If I’ve made one person feel better about themselves, then I’ve done my job.” For Joanne, it’s not about recognition – it’s about connection. “I don’t see it as me making a huge difference,” she says. “It’s just about helping someone who’s having a tough time feel a bit better about themselves. That’s a nice feeling.”

Her warmth and empathy have made a profound impression on everyone she meets. Patients describe her sessions as ‘phenomenal’, saying they feel calmer, lighter and more able to cope. Staff say Joanne’s compassion and commitment embody the very best of Macmillan’s values – supporting the whole person, not just their illness.

Joanne remains humble about her impact. “I’m just one of many people out there who give their time to help others,” she says. “I’m grateful I can do my bit to give back.”

At the Macmillan Unit in Antrim Hospital, three remarkable volunteers – Helen Kernahan, Anne Orr and Mandy Bones – bring comfort to families at one of the most difficult times in their lives. Together, they form the Bereavement Call Volunteer Team, offering compassionate support to people whose loved ones have died in the unit.

4 weeks after a death, one of the volunteers calls a family to offer condolences, a listening ear and information about other support available. Although the service only launched as a pilot in November 2024, it has already made an extraordinary difference – it reached more than 150 families in its first few months alone.

Helen, Anne and Mandy were already volunteers in the Macmillan Unit when they were invited to take part in the pilot. Each brought their own experience, compassion and calm presence to the role, and all agreed that it felt like a natural extension of the care they already offered to patients and families.

For Anne, the motivation comes from knowing the difference that one kind, human conversation can make.

“Every family is different,” she says. “Some just want to talk, others need information or reassurance – but what matters is that they know there’s someone who cares enough to listen.”

Those conversations can be emotional, but the team approaches every call with patience and empathy, taking as long as each person needs.

No two calls are the same. Some people talk for only a few minutes; others open up for much longer, sharing memories or asking questions about what happens next. The volunteers know when to simply listen, when to offer gentle reassurance, and when to refer someone for extra support from the unit’s social worker.

The work can be emotionally challenging, but none of the team ever feels alone as they are guided by Macmillan coordinators who are always on hand for debriefs and encouragement.

“It can be hard,” says Mandy. “You’re speaking to people who are heartbroken. But you’re never on your own – the support in the Macmillan Unit is incredible. You always know there’s someone to talk to if you’ve had a difficult call.”

For Helen, the reward comes in those quiet, human moments of connection.

“Sometimes people just need to talk to someone different,” she says. “To share a memory, to cry, or just to have someone listen. If that small thing brings even a little comfort, then it’s worth everything.”

In a short time, the Bereavement Call Volunteer Team has become an invaluable part of the Macmillan Unit – a source of comfort, compassion who ensure that no family feels forgotten after loss.

When actor and writer Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015, he began keeping a diary – a way to make sense of the shock and uncertainty that followed.

“I don’t know why I did it,” he says. “I just felt it necessary as I was incredibly scared when I was diagnosed. I ended up with a huge pile of notes and, eventually, I wondered what to do with them. I had been writing plays for a long time but had never produced one, so I thought maybe this would be an opportunity to create something that people might relate to – something I could perhaps develop into an awareness campaign.”

That instinct led to something extraordinary: the play FUFC. It begins on a muddy football pitch filled with laughter, friendship and the easy banter of Sunday-league football. Then it shifts to a hospital scene that quietly exposes the fears, misconceptions and silences that often surround a cancer diagnosis. By weaving humour and honesty together, Mark has created a piece of theatre that gets people talking – and crucially, acting.

Audience feedback has proved just how powerful that approach can be. After one performance, a man told Mark he had booked a PSA test for the next day. Several others have done the same. For Mark, that is what success looks like: sparking a conversation that might save a life.

“As someone who’s been diagnosed with cancer, I feel like I’m part of the resistance movement against this insidious monster of a disease,” he says. “Macmillan really understand that notion of resistance, and they have given me a lot of empathy and support over the past ten years.”

Through his theatre company, New Anthem Theatre, Mark has taken FUFC on tour across the UK – from Oxford to Yorkshire, Bath, London and even the Edinburgh Festival Fringe –fundraising for Macmillan along the way. Cast members include people who have been personally affected by cancer, turning each rehearsal into a space for both creativity and shared support.

“Sometimes when people are diagnosed with cancer, they retreat into themselves,” says Mark. “But in our theatre group, that’s not what we do. We have found that theatre not only gives you a creative outlook, but also a shared experience. The work we’ve done with Macmillan is specifically designed to encourage people to come to the theatre and hear the message that people with cancer are not alone.”

Mark’s passion for storytelling has continued to grow. He has written a sequel called The Field of Play, and is already planning future performances with men’s groups, health networks and football clubs. His ambition now is to expand the reach of FUFC internationally with an off-Broadway production currently in discussion.

10 years on from his diagnosis, Mark remains as committed as ever to using theatre as a force for awareness, empathy and connection. His creativity, courage and conviction have helped countless people face prostate cancer with openness and hope – and that, he says, makes every performance worthwhile.

When Siobhan was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, she had no idea the experience would see her shaping Macmillan’s work across the UK. Newly redundant from her job as an academic and managing bipolar disorder, she faced financial uncertainty. But thanks to Macmillan’s Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) service in Dundee, she received support that changed everything.

“I didn’t think I had any needs or eligibility for assistance,” she explains. “The ICJ support worker gently helped me see that I did. I discovered I didn’t have to figure everything out by myself – Macmillan was at my side.”

That realisation inspired Siobhan to give back. Drawing on her background as a lecturer and researcher, she began volunteering with Macmillan to improve cancer services for others – particularly people with mental health conditions. She became the first person affected by cancer to join Macmillan’s Psychological Care workstream – a UK-wide initiative shaping how psychological support is delivered.

In that role, Siobhan helped ensure lived experience sat at the heart of decision-making. She co-developed role descriptions, contributed to evaluation reports, and worked with clinicians and staff to ensure the patient’s perspective was central. Her insight also helped secure continued funding for the Dundee ICJ service, which now provides holistic support for hundreds of people.

Siobhan’s story is remarkable for how she combines her academic skills with her lived experience of cancer and bipolar disorder. Whether shaping strategy, drafting guidance, or reviewing reports, she brings empathy and rigour in equal measure. Her thoughtful questions and clear communication have helped Macmillan make its services more inclusive, particularly for people with mental health challenges.

“When you already have that albatross around your neck and then cancer comes along, you haven’t got any energy left,” she says. “When you feel like that, it’s good to have something out there that says, yes, there are solutions. Volunteering in the way I did was quite life-changing for me. I really felt that I was making an important contribution that only I could make.”

But Siobhan’s impact reaches way beyond strategy. She created a digital story with Macmillan and the Scottish Book Trust, sharing her journey to help others feel less alone. The film has been shown at conferences and used in staff training to encourage empathy. She has featured in content to help raise awareness of Macmillan's Gifts in Wills. Then, in 2025, Siobhan was one of ten people chosen to front Macmillan’s Whoever you are campaign – her face appearing on posters, buses and billboards across the country.

For Siobhan, volunteering has been deeply personal. “Macmillan saw me as a person – they saw what I could offer, and then they put that to great use. It gave me back my self-respect at a very low time. Volunteering with Macmillan helped me to knit the pieces of myself back together again in a way that made me believe there was still a role for me. Suddenly, life opened up again.”

Read more from Siobhan How Macmillan’s Holistic Needs Assessment helped Siobhan during breast cancer and redundancy

When Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma on the right side of his face, his world changed overnight. He underwent radiotherapy and surgery and 18 months later was told that he was cancer-free, but treatment left him dealing with the difficult process of adjusting to changes in his appearance.

“I had real problems with my self-image and felt like I was looking at a new person in the mirror every day,” he says. “Macmillan put me in touch with a counsellor who I’ll never forget. She gave me the space I needed to grieve my old face and get used to my new one.”

Macmillan nurses were also there for Ben when he was in pain.

“When the hospital said they’d done all they could, a Macmillan nurse came to visit me at home,” he recalls. “Within 20 minutes she was on the phone to my GP, and within an hour I had, for the first time in months, adequate pain relief.”

As his strength returned, Ben found a new focus: giving something back to Macmillan.

“I had always been a casual runner so I thought I could do something with that, but a marathon didn’t feel like enough of a thank you,” he says. “I wanted to do something that truly reflected how grateful I was.”

He set himself an extraordinary goal: to run 2,853 miles – the distance from Los Angeles to New York – to raise £10,000 for Macmillan. His original plan was to complete the journey across America, but when illness stopped him from travelling, he decided to cover the same distance here in the UK instead, running solo and unsupported.

On 1st March this year, Ben set off from Minehead in Somerset to tackle the South West Coast Path – 649 miles, or nearly 25 marathons – carrying his tent and supplies on his back. Since then, he’s completed the North Downs Way, South Downs Way and Thames Path, and is now halfway through the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. It’s been far from easy: he’s run through storms, battled exhaustion and injury, and even returned to the trail just weeks after dislocating his shoulder.

“It’s been tougher than I ever imagined,” Ben says. “There are days when I’m cold, tired and hungry, but I keep reminding myself why I’m doing it. I’m just so thankful for what Macmillan did for me – and if, in doing this, I can help other families too, then that’s even better.”

Along the way, Ben has rediscovered the kindness of strangers. “Before this, I struggled to trust people,” he admits. “But this journey has shown me there are far more kind people than I ever thought.”

From sleeping under the stars to running through the rain, Ben’s challenge has tested him in every way imaginable – physically, emotionally and mentally. But every mile takes him closer to his goal, and to giving back to the charity that was there when he needed it most.

Read more about Ben's incredible fundraising story.

When Shaunna set herself the challenge of running the Everest Marathon – the world’s highest marathon – she wasn’t just testing her limits; she was showing what it means to live with purpose and strength. Living with incurable breast cancer, and just months out of a year of aggressive treatment, Shaunna channelled her energy into fundraising and raising awareness for Macmillan. She wanted to prove that life with cancer can still be full of ambition, courage and hope.

A researcher at the University of Leeds specialising in exercise and cancer, Shaunna’s work had long been supported by Macmillan. But, when she was diagnosed with cancer herself, that connection became deeply personal as she received support from Macmillan nurses.

“Very early on in my diagnosis, I made the decision that I would immerse myself in trying to make a positive difference to other people going through similar situations,” she says. “It was really important to me to use my experience as a way of raising awareness and trying to inspire others. What I'm going through is difficult, but that doesn't mean that it has to be negative.”

The Everest Marathon demanded every ounce of her strength and determination. To prepare for the event, which begins at Everest Base Camp after a gruelling multi-day trek, Shaunna climbed Lobuche Peak – a 20,000-foot Himalayan mountain – less than two weeks before taking her place on the marathon start line.

“I carried a lot of uncertainty as to how my body was going to hold up in such a difficult and demanding marathon environment, but I soon realised that it was working with me,” she recalls. “There were some difficult moments – especially on the climb towards the start line – but I leaned into the discomfort rather than shying away from it. Every step I took was a chance for me to say, ‘I'm still here, I'm still living fully, and I'm still going for it.’”

Through her efforts, Shaunna raised over £12,000 for Macmillan, but her impact goes far beyond fundraising. By sharing her journey with honesty and courage – through media interviews, university features and social media – she’s inspired thousands of people to see incurable cancer through a new lens: one that embraces life, resilience and possibility.

For Shaunna, every challenge she takes on is a tribute to people living with incurable cancer – a reminder that they are not defined by their diagnosis, but by their courage and their strength.

Later this year, Shaunna will return to Everest – this time to attempt the summit – continuing her mission to show that even in the toughest conditions, there’s always a way to keep moving forward.