A Holistic Health Mentor from High Littleton is taking on The Three Peaks challenge this summer to raise some much-needed money for charity.

Cancer survivor, Maria Honeker, is trekking the three highest peaks in the UK at the beginning of July to raise money for Penny Brohn UK cancer charity, based in Bristol.

“This is a cause close to my heart as I was faced with stage three colon cancer in 2017 with only a 25% chance of surviving five years. I turned to Penny Brohn for support and they welcomed me with open arms.”

Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer. With 50% of people living with cancer for ten years or more, the challenge now is to live well with an uncertain future, during these particularly challenging times. One in three people with cancer have depression or anxiety. Nine out of ten people with cancer have emotional, social or physical unmet needs at diagnosis.

Penny Brohn UK supports anyone affected by cancer. The charity’s holistic approach to helping people live well with cancer – The Bristol Whole Life Approach – gives anyone affected by cancer the practical, emotional and social support they need to improve their quality of life and to manage fear and uncertainty that a cancer diagnosis may bring.

Today, nearly four years from her diagnosis, Maria is showing no evidence of disease, despite her late diagnosis. Her treatment included surgery, chemotherapy and the implementation of a holistic approach to health and healing, including a range of complementary therapies, supplementation and following a mostly plant-based diet.

She says: “The pandemic has been challenging for so many people. For the past year, so much focus has been on the Coronavirus and as a result, people’s cancer treatments and too often their diagnoses, have been delayed. We mustn’t forget that diseases like cancer have not gone away. A late diagnosis and restrictions to vital treatment can have devastating consequences. With your help, Penny Brohn UK can continue providing life-changing support to people who need it the most. Every penny and pound really will make a difference.”

If you would like to sponsor Maria and help raise funds for Penny Brohn UK and those affected by cancer, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MariaEHoneker