A breast cancer survivor, who has lived in Ross all her life, has raised over a thousand pounds of her £2,000 goal, for the Hereford Breast Unit.

She received a substantial boost of cash last October when she spoke about her journey for breast cancer awareness month, where she raised the first £800.

Jackie was raising money in March 2021, in memory of her boyfriend’s mother who sadly died of cancer and wanted to do something in memory of her. During that walk she found a lump herself which prompted her to visit her doctor. Following a positive diagnosis for breast cancer, Jackie had to undergo her treatment largely alone through the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

After her mastectomy, which took place one year ago, she got the all-clear shortly before her birthday. She then shared her story publicly in October for breast cancer awareness month.

Jackie wants to give back as she felt the treatment she received was “outstanding” and their support was “amazing”. She was told that Hereford needs a bigger breast cancer unit and decided to help them raise the funds for it.

Jackie has completed a five-mile sponsored walk every-single-day last March. She’s also recruited a number of businesses to put up a collection in their shops. Bennetts of Ross, the Antique Coffee shop in Hereford, Studio K Hairdressers in Hereford, The Man of Ross, and Pengethley Farm Shop which have all contributed to fundraising for the cause.

One of the ways Jackie has coped through the isolation of the pandemic lock-downs was with painting. She gifted one of her pictures to the unit as gesture of thanks.

Jackie’s daughter had organised an empowering photo shoot where Jackie wanted to have a “statement photo” taken to raise both funds and awareness.

She wanted the photo to say: “Love your body no matter whatever comes your way.”

Jackie has made it a personal philosophy to say goodbye to the past and always look to the future, “it’s my motto and how I’ve got my head around things and coped.” She added: “Please please, go check your breasts and if you’re unsure about anything, go get it checked out sooner rather than later.”