Meet some of the fundraising heroes who are here for people affected by secondary breast cancer

Janet raised money by staging a personalised event called ‘JanFest'

I lost my mum to secondary breast cancer in March 2010. At that time, one of the charities that later formed Breast Cancer Now was called Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and my mum had received a lot of support from them. After her death, I decided to support the charity.

In February I reached my 60th birthday and wanted to do something special. Then, by pure coincidence, I saw the £1k Challenge. My son-in-law came up with the name JanFest for the fundraising event.

JanFest grew into something far bigger than we ever imagined. Held at the local cricket club, we had a fair, food and drink stalls, produce stalls, book stall, toiletries, cakes, cheese stall, clothes, jewellery et cetera, as well as a raffle and tombola. We contacted local businesses asking for prize donations, and had musicians come along.

People came flooding in, bringing picnic chairs and blankets to enjoy the whole day. Everyone saw people they hadn't seen since before COVID, people I'd worked with years ago met up again, and family and friends from all over the country came together. The comments we had about the day were amazing and everyone wants a JanFest 2!

We managed to raise £2,620.58 in donations. Yes, it was a challenge as I'd never organised something quite so big before, but it was worth the effort.

What I’d say to people thinking about fundraising for the £1k Challenge is: go for it! You’ll be supporting a charity that really cares both about people with the disease and about research to prevent it.

I felt totally supported by the Community team from the moment I started fundraising. Every little helps, from £10 to £1,000, to allow this amazing charity to carry out all the work it does.

Nancy, who received a primary breast cancer diagnosis, signed up to a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle ride

I cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats (1,000 miles) in 14 days in June and July to raise money for Breast Cancer Now. Arriving at John O'Groats was magical, something I’ll never forget.

I’ve always wanted to cycle the length of the UK, but when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, I was doubtful if this would ever be possible. I had 6 months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiotherapy.

I remember on those days in the chemo ward dreaming of being out on my bike, and vowing to myself that if I made it through, I was going to take on the ultimate UK road cycling challenge. And so this year, to celebrate my 60th birthday, I decided to do it!

When I saw the £1K Challenge I knew this was what I wanted to raise money for, although I was very doubtful I’d raise anything like this amount. I was blown away as in the end I raised more than £1,700.

Fundraising is such a great way to give back, to give thanks for all the care and support you've received.

Pinder, who received a primary breast cancer diagnosis, did her own walking challenge for Breast Cancer Now

I decided to take on the £1k Challenge as I finished my last cancer treatment on 6 June for Herceptin and chemo, and I was six months post op after my DIEP double mastectomy.

I decided my main challenge would be to walk 100km during the months of June and July to help raise money for the £1k Challenge. I felt it would help me slowly get fit again. Also, I received tremendous support from the NHS, my nurses, consultants and charities, so it was very important to give a little back.

I smashed my 100km target, walking 176.2km during the months of June and July. I had my friends and family walk with me on parts of my journey in support. I personally pledged £1 for every km I completed too, so I wasn't going to let everyone down.

The final amount I raised was £3,423, so I completely smashed my £1,000 target. I couldn't quite believe it and I’m so touched by how much support I received. Even better, I managed to raise £1,000 in less than 10 hours.

Sarah, who received a primary breast cancer diagnosis, and her daughter Alice raised more than £1,800, including £1,290 through a bake sale and raffle

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in lockdown in 2020, so I had no visitors in hospital. Once I was home, friends and family were not allowed to visit, so it was great to have the Breast Cancer Now website and information pack to read about other people’s experiences and answer lots of questions I had.

After I was diagnosed, my 12-year-old daughter, Alice, wanted to raise money for a breast cancer charity.

When I told Alice about the £1k Challenge, she was really keen to take part. We did a bake sale with a stall on our street. We also had a tombola, and in total we raised around £850.

My sister has a small business in our town and she organised a drop-in baking session for kids, at her venue, where we also had a toy tombola and a raffle. This event raised around £450.