Sunderland mum organises mass walk in aid of cervical cancer charity after friend diagnosed

A Sunderland mum organised a mass walk across the region to raise awareness for cervical cancer and Ambers law after her friend was diagnosed with the cancer.
By Georgina Cutler
Published 16th Sep 2021, 11:08 BST

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Ashleigh (right) with her friend Catherine who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 30s.Ashleigh (right) with her friend Catherine who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 30s.
Ashleigh (right) with her friend Catherine who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 30s.

Ashleigh Hackett, 44 who is a fitness instructor from Hylton Red House organised the event last month as more than 100 people gathered to raise money for charity.

The 44-year-old launched the fundraiser after her friend Catherine Baker was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 30s while also in memory of Catherine’s mum Trisha Dalton-Atkinson who sadly lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.

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Ashleigh, fitness business owner of Can You Hackett?, says the money raised will go towards Ambers law – a charity that is campaigning to change the current cervical smear test law from the current age of 25 down to 18 following the death of 25-year-old Amber Rose Cliff.

More than 100 people turned out for the walk wearing t-shirts in memory of Trisha Dalton Atkinson.More than 100 people turned out for the walk wearing t-shirts in memory of Trisha Dalton Atkinson.
More than 100 people turned out for the walk wearing t-shirts in memory of Trisha Dalton Atkinson.

The Sunderland mum, who’s daughter Quinn Lux Lownie, 8 is an ambassador for Amber’s Law, partakes in fundraising for her beauty pageants.

Ashleigh said: “Our first walk was in 2019 but we do lots of fundraising for Quinn’s pageants and I don’t think it’s very well known that pageants involve a lot of fundraising, but that’s how we started out.

"Amber’s law is a fantastic charity so we wanted to raise awareness and funds for such an important cause.”

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Ashleigh with her daughter Quinn, 8 alongside Amber Rose Cliff's Dad, Darren and Nana Judy.Ashleigh with her daughter Quinn, 8 alongside Amber Rose Cliff's Dad, Darren and Nana Judy.
Ashleigh with her daughter Quinn, 8 alongside Amber Rose Cliff's Dad, Darren and Nana Judy.

More than 100 people turned out for the walk from South Shields pier to Sunderland pier on August 8 as more than £5000 was raised.

The mega-fundraising mum has raised just under £50,000 across the last three years for charity.

Ashleigh added: “My friend Catherine was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 30s so she was still really young, luckily she’s doing well but it’s scary to think that smear tests aren’t done until 25 so that’s why we want to raise the awareness.

“We dedicated this year’s walk to Catherine’s mum Trisha who lost her battle with cancer this year, so we wanted to honour a much-loved woman and that made this fundraiser more special.”

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Ashleigh plans on continuing the charity walk annually – those 12 years and above who are interested in taking part next year should contact Ashleigh here.

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