A WELLINGTON artist and illustrator is striding out for charity after just completing treatment for breast cancer.

After eight months of treatment, with a last radiotherapy session on September 30, Lauren Marina put on her walking boots to start racking up the miles around Wellington’s green corridors.

She has already smashed her target of £500 for breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Now by raising in excess of £1,000 and is well on the way to completing the Walk 100 Miles challenge having covered 77 miles in and around the town.

She said: “Only a few months ago it felt impossible to walk five minutes to our local park and home again. I was weak, wobbly, and fearful of being outside.

“Home had become a refuge through the trauma of the year, and somewhere along the way I’d lost my confidence.”

Currently she is averaging three miles per day for the charity that has supported her through her darkest hours after her diagnosis. Despite her partner and friends joining her for some of the miles, most have been completed solo.

“Walking with myself has been therapeutic and is giving me the space to process some of what has happened to me,” she said.

“In my mind, I carry with me the faces of the women who have the misfortune of a shared diagnosis, but with that, the fortune of holding each other and deeply understanding the pain we have in shared experience.

“As an artist, it’s been a great opportunity to gather new inspiration as the seasons change.”

The local artist, who lost her hair during chemo, is speaking out to remind women to check their breasts.
The local artist, who lost her hair during chemo, is speaking out to remind women to check their breasts. (Lauren Marina)

She puts her swift diagnosis down to a Somerset NHS trial of fast-tracking screening which helped catch her cancer early.

She explained: “I found a lump when showering and initially didn’t panic. After a week or so and it hadn’t changed I thought best to see my GP, who referred me directly to the Breast Care Team at Musgrove Park.

“I went in for my first appointment on New Year's Eve and was diagnosed with primary breast cancer a week later.

"Since the start of the year I’ve had a mastectomy, five months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I did lose all of my hair through chemo, which was naturally distressing, but I’m glad to say it is growing back with gusto now!”

By undertaking the challenge Lauren is hoping to raise awareness and remind women to check themselves.

“I want to urge readers to check their chests and act quickly and contact your GP if something doesn’t feel right,” she said. “Knowledge is power, Breast Cancer Now provide lots of guidance on symptoms to look out for.”

She has nothing but praise for the national charity: “They’ve empowered me with knowledge, offered a steadiness with their presence and, most importantly they inspire hope that I will live and live well,” she said.

Lauren is equally thankful for the team at Musgrove Park adding: “I can’t thank them enough for their professionalism, support and many kindnesses - I’ve felt incredibly well held and supported throughout this awful experience.”

Lauren 100 miles Justgiving page is still open for donations.