Louise Harris has raised more than £2,600 for Cancer Research UK by tackling a ‘squats challenge’ after receiving treatment for a brain tumour.
The 33 -year-old from Rochford is doing 100 squats a day as part of the Stand Up To Cancer Squats Challenge for November and has been sponsored £250 by Bellway Essex, which is based in Chelmsford and where her partner Owen Ayers works as Land Manager.
Louise, who lives with Owen, 31, and their 15-month-old son Arthur, is recovering following surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy after doctors found a tumour in her brain in September 2022.
She was diagnosed just two months after she had given birth to Arthur, after going to her GP following seizure-like episodes.
Owen said: “An MRI scan showed the brain tumour and we were devastated to learn it was cancer. Louise has been incredibly brave and has gone through surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in under a year.
“It has been a really tough 12 months or so for Louise physically and mentally and she has taken on this squat challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK. When she set up her fundraising page she read the stories of others who are also fundraising and realised there are a lot of people out there in a similar position to her.
“This realisation gave her the inspiration to ensure she gets the squats done every day and to raise as much money as she can to help fund research and try to find a way to beat cancer. I am immensely proud of her and we are humbled by the generous donation from Bellway. It means a lot to both of us.
“Louise set herself a target of £150 but she has smashed this and will raise thousands through her challenge. She is determined to do what she can to raise funds to support the researchers who are trying to save lives in the battle to beat cancer.”
Louise has set up an online page to raise funds for the charity and has so far raised £2700.
Bellway Essex – which has new homes developments across Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire – has been part of Bellway’s national fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK, with the company raising more than £3 million nationally for the charity since 2016.
Phil Standen, Managing Director of Bellway Essex, said: “Everyone here is in awe of the courage and resilience being shown by Louise in such incredibly difficult circumstances. Our donation of £250 is designed to give Louise and Owen a boost but also to help support the brilliant work being done by the charity.
“Cancer Research UK has been our partner charity for seven years and we have a special affinity with the organisation. Most people know someone whose life has been blighted by cancer and we hope the money helps in the continuing search for a cure for this terrible disease.”
To support Louise’s challenge, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/louises-giving-page-5270.
