Four women who paddle-boarded more than 20 miles to raise cash for alternative cancer treatments for a mother-of-two have smashed their fundraising target.
The team set off from Godalming at 8am on Saturday (June 9) and made their way through 25 locks before arriving at Basingstoke Canal where Julie Strelley-Jones was on hand to welcome them.
The 46-year-old of Haldan Road, Highams Park has been battling cancer for six years and is fundraising for medical and holistic treatments not available on the NHS.
“They did amazingly,” she said.
“A lot of people along the way donated to the campaign. They blew their target of £2,000 and ended up raised over £2,400. It was real dedication.
“It was rather emotional seeing them finish and giving them a hug because they had put in so much effort and I was just overwhelmed by their kindness and the kindness of others.
“I am keen to thank everyone in Highams Park for their support.”
The 12-hour ‘paddleathon’ was the latest of a string of fundraising events for Mrs Strelley-Jones’ campaign, Julie’s Boys.
After being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 2012, two years’ later doctors found it had spread to her brain, bones, lungs and liver, and deemed her incurable.
The former primary school teacher was given just a three per cent chance of living for the next five years, but four years on she continues to defy the odds.
To donate to the campaign click here.
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