In September a group of us will be taking part in a charity walk dressed as parrots – a pandemonium of parrots if you will. We have hatched a plan to walk 13 miles across the high beaks of The Chilterns to raise money and awareness of gynaecological cancer through The Eve Appeal. We don’t plan to break any records or get in a flap, its hardly the marathon de sables, but instead we will be winging it in fancy dress to make the  afternoon that little bit sillier; a stark contrast to the realities of why we’re doing this.

In September last year, Mum (Polly)  was told she had two types of gynaecological cancer, both Grade 3, Stage 4. She didn’t feel ill, she didn’t look ill, and her
tennis-pilates-dog walking rota would mean she was always active. However a doctor’s appointment - that so easily might not have happened - told another story. Most gynaecological cancers would not be spotted from a routine smear test. An illusion that we all seem to be under. Fast forward eleven months and we’re hoping Polly is now half way through treatment and well on the road to recovery. Up to this point
she’s put on a near flawless act at pretending she’s fine so its not my place to let on just how aggressive the treatment has been – we don’t want your sympathy, only your support to raise awareness of gynaecological cancer.

Every day in the UK 55 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer and 21 will die. This means 40% of
women diagnosed will not survive; despite these grim  statistics, it is not a well-funded cause. In recent years there has been a rise in the number of younger women being diagnosed with gynaecological cancer but awareness remains low - many women do not even know there are five types of gynaecological cancer. I didn’t.

Hopefully this distinctly average length walk in silly fancy dress on the 24th September will ruffle some feathers and make a difference, however small. If you’ve read this far then our aim of raising awareness has been met. If you fancy a flutter, shaking out your pieces o’eight and giving a donation to support the cause and ensure awareness and medical research into gynaecological cancer continues please donate.