It's nice to give a little bit back: Mandy's marathon walking challenge for cancer charity
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A Thurso woman who was given the all-clear from breast cancer last year has embarked on a month-long marathon walking challenge.
Mandy Bartlett has pledged to cover 26.2 miles during January to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK and she is hoping to go twice that distance, making it a double marathon.
She is taking part in Run the Month: Marathon Edition, a nationwide campaign.
Mandy (54) was inspired to go the distance for the largest men’s health charity in the country after being diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022.
“One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime and that's on a par with breast cancer," she said.
"It struck me that there was a dedicated centre for breast cancer down in Raigmore Hospital, which is simply wonderful, but there is no comparable service for men suffering from prostate cancer.
“Prostate cancer is almost like the poor relation because it's not as well publicised as breast cancer. I don't know if that's down to funding, or if it's down to the fact that a lot of men are a wee bit allergic about going to the doctor.
“There are trials at the moment and they're thinking about tests for prostate cancer. It would be good if that was the case."
Mandy lives with husband Stephen and daughter Kirsty and works as a customer team member in the Thurso Co-op.
Mandy is arranging to have collection buckets and promotional material placed in the store to help raise money and awareness.
“The Co-op has been very much on board," she said. "They've been absolutely brilliant throughout my cancer journey.”
After her diagnosis, Mandy underwent a series of radiotherapy treatments at Raigmore and three surgeries.
“As far as the cancer goes, I was given the all-clear in May so I'm quite pleased with that, obviously," she said.
"It's a new year, it's a new start – onwards and upwards.
“When I was given the breast cancer surgery I had three lots of surgery in as many months. For me it was third time lucky so I was quite fortunate."
Reflecting on the treatment she was given, Mandy explained: "Really it's a belt-and-braces approach.
"I just looked as far as the next appointment. Once that was over and done with I looked at the appointment after that, because it was too overwhelming to be able to look at the whole picture.
"I had to sit down and have the talk with my 16-year-old daughter that I had cancer. There was a pregnant pause and she said, 'Will you...?'
“I said I intend to be here for quite some time yet.”
Mandy is happy to be pounding the pavements of Thurso for charity and might walk as far as Castletown or Halkirk "to get the miles up", depending on the weather.
“I would like to try and get a couple of miles a day in," she said. "I'd like to do the double marathon if I can, just to set myself a target.
“Obviously on days that I'm working, that'll have an impact.”
She has set a £500 target on her online fundraising page. It can be found at runthemonthme.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/mandys-marathon-for-prostrate-cancer
“It's nice to give a little bit back," Mandy added.
She is also keen to highlight the work of the North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre in Thurso.
“They have been absolutely brilliant," she said. "They run a men's group as well once a month.”
In 2009 Mandy took part in the marathon-length MoonWalk through Edinburgh, raising money for breast cancer research and care.
Anyone willing to join Prostate Cancer UK’s Run the Month: Marathon Edition and run, jog, walk or wheel a total of 26.2 miles during January can sign up at prostatecanceruk.org/rtmme-press
Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “The fight against prostate cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. Since 2020, our wonderful supporters have raised substantial funds by taking on our virtual challenge – and 2024 is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
“Our supporters won’t just be keeping fit after the rigours of the festive season, they will also be raising crucial funds in the fight against the most common cancer in men.
“Everyone who laces up their trainers will help fund ground-breaking research towards a screening programme, so we can catch prostate cancer early and save lives. We thank Mandy and everyone taking part."
Taking on the challenge for a third time is Elliott Wright, from the TV show The Only Way is Essex.
He said: “Prostate cancer is an awful disease which has devastated my family. One in eight men get prostate cancer. My grandad was one and so was my father.
“My dad was a major part of my life. He was always very keen to try and raise awareness about prostate cancer, so that’s why I’m trying to continue it in his honour."
