Updated on Feb 6th 2012 at 11:00 AM from the JustGiving API

Getting so close!

Fi Walker.  29 March 1992 - 27 November 2011

 

On 27 November 2011, after 18 months of struggling against the advance of cancer, our dear friend Fi passed away.  She was so brave right till the end of her life and died peacefully at home surrounded by her family.  Fi made a huge impression on so many people in her short life and we are all the better for having known and loved her.  The Highlands and Islands Challenge is dedicated to her memory.

Fi’s illness started in Spring 2010 in her last term at school, when she became aware of a slight numbness in her left leg.  Over the ensuing months the numbness spread and she lost strength in both her legs.  She had lots of tests and in time scans showed an abnormality in her spinal cord. It was not until there was evidence of a growth on the outer part of the cord that a biopsy could be safely conducted in early 2011.  This confirmed that Fi had a malignant tumour.  Radiotherapy then chemotherapy followed but sadly the tumour continued to spread further up her spine.  In September 2011, she started a new course of chemotherapy using a different cocktail of drugs.

Fi had to abandon her gap year plans and deferred her place at Leeds University. Physically, she could walk a few yards with a zimmer and had to rely heavily on family and friends.  Mentally, she was the same strong-minded Fi that we all loved to engage with!  Through all the anger, frustration and tears of the last 18 months, Fi earned the respect of all her friends and family in dealing with this dreadful disease.  She continued to fight her corner with great bravery right to the end. 

 

Jock and Iona will be taking on a challenge involving bicycling from Ardgay to Oban (150 Miles) then running 3 different routes on Mull, Jura and Arran. The length of these runs is considerable, with 23 miles on the first, 14 the following day and finishing with an 18 miler. These routes are all fell runs, which means hill running. For full details see our website, www.hichallenge.co.uk