Gaynor first felt unwell in September 2022.

Sadly, tests over the following months showed that she had a Cholangiocarcinoma – a rare type of cancer that develops in the bile duct.

Gaynor had chemotherapy for 9 months, stayed positive, carried on working and caught up with lots of family and friends. She moved onto a newly approved Chemotherapy drug which was successful in keeping the cancer at bay.

Unfortunately, in September 2023 she had a pain in her back that turned out to be a secondary cancer in the bones at the bottom of her back, affecting the nerves in her spine. The bone cancer had also spread to her jaw and ribs.

On 19th April 2024, Gaynor’s family and friends walked 20km from Laleham Park to Windsor, to raise funds for The Ruth Strauss Foundation, who had been wonderful in supporting Gaynor and her family to talk openly, make plans and support each other.

Gaynor was there throughout the day, opening the walk with an inspirational speech, cheering the group on at several points en route, before walking the final stretch past Windsor Castle to the finish line.

Over £25,000 was raised for The Ruth Strauss Foundation, including Gift Aid.

Gaynor passed away on 18th August 2024 in Thames Hospice.

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We are walking the same 20km route on Friday 25th April 2025, to celebrate Gaynor’s life and remember the times that we spent together.

If you can sponsor us to raise funds for The Ruth Strauss Foundation, it would be hugely appreciated.

The Route

We're walking 20km from Chertsey to Windsor, starting at 10.30am on Friday 25th April 2025.

You're more than welcome to join us for the whole walk, for any section of the walk - or just for lunch!

Everyone is welcome, as are dogs on a lead.

Lunch will be at The Magna Carta Trust Tearooms in Old Windsor at approx. 1.30pm.

We'll share our location on the day, so you know where to find us.

To join the walk, please contact Karen on info@ethosmetrics.com

About The Ruth Strauss Foundation

In the summer of 2018, Ruth Strauss was diagnosed with an inoperable form of lung cancer that attacks non-smokers.

She was given just a year to live.

Ruth died on in December 2018, leaving behind her husband, Sir Andrew Strauss, and their two young boys - Sam & Luca.

In 2019 Sir Andrew launched the Ruth Strauss Foundation in her memory.

The Ruth Strauss Foundation's aim is to provide emotional, psychological and wellbeing support to patients and their families going through similar experiences.

“The idea of setting up the foundation came up with Ruth in the last few months of her life. Ruth desperately wanted to help those affected by this terrible disease and she had a very strong sense of charity – in the broadest sense – of helping others, less fortunate than ourselves”.

Thank you to the Ruth Strauss Foundation for the support provided to Gaynor and her family.