On the 5th of May 2003, my grandma (Mary McClure, who you may remember as Irish Mary from Morrisons) lost her battle with Breast Cancer and was taken care of by some fantastic people along the way. By far the most amazing people on that journey were Willow Wood hospice, for who I have been volunteering and fundraising with my family for many years. Unfortunately, I never met my grandma as she died before I was born (I am only 13), however I have been told how much of an amazing person she was and how well she was cared for in our amazing hospice.

This year is the 20th year anniversary since she passed away and she would have been celebrating her 73rd birthday on NYE 2023. To mark the 20yrs, I wanted to do something significant to recognise her and raise some money along the way, so here is what I am doing! I plan to combine 2 passions of mine in cycling and swimming.

As she would have been 73 and died on the 5th month of the year, I plan to do a 73 mile bike ride (to recognise her 73rd birthday) and swim the equivalent of 5 marathons (as she died on the 5th day of the 5th month of the year). My challenge starts on Thursday 5th October (number 5 reference again) and will finish on my grandma’s anniversary, Sunday 5th May.

The swimming will be the most difficult challenge as that equates to 131 miles, so 8433 lengths in total, but I am determined to do it and raise much needed funds for a great cause given how important it is to the local community.

I am up for the challenge. Any help you can give me along the way by sponsoring me with whatever you can would be really appreciated. I will be set up on Strava so people can track how I am doing, and I will provide regular updates at the monthly coffee mornings. The more people that know about Willow Wood the better, so please spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot and will help to keep me motivated!

Love Leila McClure (aged 13)