Cancer Patient, Jason Woods, walks for Maggie's, and raises over £4,000

JASON Woods of Thingwall Wirral, took on an incredible challenge in December for Maggie's Wirral and completed 100,000 steps in 31 days to raise vital funds and help Maggie's be there for people living with cancer. Businessman Jason has been keen to support Maggie's after receiving support from the team at Maggie's Wirral. Jason completed the 100,000 steps in his December challenge as he is determined to carry on with his life and enjoy it to the full.

Jason was 1st diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer and in October 2021, he was told it had spread to his liver, kidneys, and lymph Nodes, Jason said:- "Sadly I was given the news that I had approximately between 12 months to 2 years to live. It was around this time that I stumbled across Maggie's. A place based on the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. The team there have given me so much help and guidance practically and emotionally. It is an amazing support centre that is so welcoming and comfortable, you would never know you're just a stone's throw away from a Hospital. Every time I go to Maggie's, I leave with the biggest smile on my face."

Jason completed his walking challenge of walking over 3,000 steps each day throughout December. He ended his wonderful challenge on New Year's Eve, at West Kirby Marine Lake with friends, family, and business associates. Jason has raised over £4,000 and donations are still being made.

Maggie's has a clear message for people living with cancer; we are here to help. Maggie's professional practical, emotional and social support is more important than ever before and the centre in the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, is welcoming anyone with a cancer diagnosis, or their family and friends. Support by professional staff is available face to face in the centre to help people with stress, fear and anxiety as well as money worries and questions about cancer treatment.

Maggie's Wirral Centre Head Kathy Wright said:- "Cancer is possibly the hardest experience of a person's life. If you or anyone 1 you know need to chat, please don't hesitate to contact us. People with cancer and their families are being hit particularly hard with the cost of living crisis.  We are supporting visitors who are going back to work too early, worrying about food and heating, and even missing Hospital appointments because they cannot afford travel costs. We're extremely grateful to people like Jason, it's because of our supporters that we're able to continue offering our support. We'd love others to join Jason and sign up to take on their own personal challenges."

Since Maggie's opened their 1st centre in 1996, the charity has developed a programme of support that is proven to help people with cancer and their loved 1s take back control. Maggie's Wirral relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to be able to offer this high quality, professional support. You too can make a difference, sign up for your own fundraising pack online at:- Maggies.Org.

To find out more about Maggie's Wirral please contact us:- 01513344301 or email:- Maggies.Liverpool@MaggiesCentres.Org.

Brits are on a walking revolution in 2023

EVERY January, most people sit down and set themselves a host of ambitious New Year's resolutions. According to new data, nearly 3 quarters of people (73%) set the goal of being more active in 2023, with half of people pledging to walk more because it's free.

Research by outdoor retailer GO Outdoors in partnership with mental health charity, Mind, has revealed that it was the Pandemic that got the nation on its feet, with 75% walking outdoors more because of Covid19, as it helped their physical and mental health.

Prior to this, the majority (55%) of people only saw walking as a means of getting from place to place.

The data also showed that 3 quarters of Brits found walking as a form of exercise to be the most popular due to zero financial barriers (75%), alongside being inclusive (73%), and good for mental health (74%).

In November 2022, GO Outdoors launched a range of limited-edition hats in collaboration with Mind, designed by their panel of brand ambassadors (TV presenters Julia Bradbury, Helen Skelton, Sean Fletcher, and ex-England goalkeeper David Seaman).

The #HatsOnForMind campaign was designed to encourage people to get outdoors more often to help ease mental health challenges, with 100% of the proceeds from hat sales going to charity.

Available online and in participating stores such:- as GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets, and Fishing Republic, GO Outdoors pledged to raise at least £100,000 from hat sales over the winter.

Thanks to the incredible support from customers, the pledge has now been beaten, with hat sales continuing across the UK.

Lee Bagnall, CEO of GO Outdoors said:- "The response to our #HatsOnForMind campaign has been nothing short of incredible. We want to thank everyone that was responsible for bringing the campaign to life from our brand ambassadors, Mind volunteers, the teams at GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets and Fishing Republic, and of course our customers for getting their #HatsOnForMind this winter."

Charlotte Porter, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, said:- "We are grateful to GO Outdoors for continuing to support Mind through the #HatsOnForMind campaign. This collaboration is fantastic as it encourages everyone to experience the great outdoors and reap the benefits. We are in a difficult time, with many of us feeling the impact of the Pandemic, economic uncertainty, and loneliness. The money raised through this partnership will help us to keep our vital services running, including Mind's Infoline, legal line, and our online peer support community Side by Side, so that we can be there for the people who need us most."

The remaining #HatsOnForMind hats are still available to buy exclusively at:- GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets, and Fishing Republic. Adult hats are priced at £10 and 2 children's options at just £8.