Mother and sons get set for 100-mile cycle marking end of cancer treatment
A Newark family are getting set for an 100-mile bike ride to mark the end of a mother's cancer treatment.
Jill Pindar of North Muskham and her two sons are entering the last few days of training ahead of the Prudential Ride London on Sunday.
The mother will be raising money for Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now to celebrate the end of her treatment after finding a breast lump in November 2017.
Jill was diagnosed at the age of 48 after a biopsy revealed the lump in her breast was triple negative stage two, grade three breast cancer. She began chemotherapy in January 2018, followed by a lumpectomy, reconstruction and radiotherapy.
Keen to support their mum in her cycle challenge, sons Matt and Ben Pindar, also entered the ballot for the Prudential Ride London from Surrey to London to mark the end of Jill's successful treatment.
But Jill is no stranger to the saddle. She started cycling in 2015 when she joined her local club and continued to ride as much as possible during her breast cancer treatment.
"I have really taken to cycling. I love being outdoors in the fresh air and I have met some great friends since I started at the club. There is a real buzz and of course, the cake is great too," said Jill.
"During my treatment I managed to keep working and I even got out on the bike, which was great. I think that made a huge difference to me, not just physically but mentally."
The North Muskham mum said life seemed like a car crash when she was diagnosed, but had a sense of normality all at the same time.
Taking part in a breast cancer Moving Forward course at the hospital, however, helped Jill realise what she was feeling was normal.
"You think you are going through it all on your own but you are not," Jill said.
These initiatives in partnership with NHS hospitals are delivered by a range of expert speakers and aim to provide support on how to cope with and adjust to life after cancer treatment.
Topics covered include healthy eating, managing menopausal symptoms, lymphoedema, cancer fatigue and intimacy and relationships.
Jill said: "I think I have made the best out of this year given the circumstances. When you receive a cancer diagnosis, it affects your whole family, so it’s really special that the boys are joining me. My partner Dick will be cheering us along on the day, he is our appointed chief mechanic and brow mopper.
"It is in my interest to raise as much money as possible for Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now to help them provide specialist support and find a cure for this devastating disease."
Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now have united to create the UK’s first comprehensive breast cancer charity, ensuring that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and receive the support they need.
Claire Pulford, assistant director of community, events and students at Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now, said: "We want to wish Jill, Matt and Ben the best of luck as they prepare to take on the Prudential Ride London. We cannot thank them enough for their enthusiasm and support. The money raised will help us to provide life-changing support for those living with the disease and help fund vital breast cancer research.
"Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. One in eight women in the UK will face it in their lifetime and well over half a million people are living with it."
If you would like to support Jill, Matt and Ben you can do so by visiting their JustGiving page at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JillandBenPindar
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