These boots are made for walking

The last time I saw my Auntie Jo, she messaged me when I got home and said…

“Rebecca, I know you are my niece, but I would genuinely pick you as a mate”

The feeling was and still is 100% mutual.

I looked up to Jo from a young age. She was the definition of what it means to be a “cool Auntie” 

Whether it was her turning up to a family meal with a new extravagant hair style, her being on the front page of a newspaper or on the TV, her singing endless hours of karaoke with my sisters and I, even fashioning Benji’s (her dogs) collar as a choker - Jo was the epitome of everything I wanted to be and everything I ooked up to as a little girl.

Fast forward 20 years and Jo remained the same inspiration to me as an adult.

My big sister was unapologetically herself, whilst still remaining a kind and thoughtful soul. Not many, if any people strike that balance in a life time, it seems it just came naturally to Jo.

She set a precedent to me in many ways - my career, following my dreams and generally just how to be a bloody good human being.

And when we thought I couldn’t idolise my big sister anymore, she showed me what it truly meant to be strong when she was diagnosed with cancer. 

My big sister was diagnosed with stage 4 oesophagus cancer. It’s an aggressive and uncommon cancer in young women. It felt and still feels really unfair.

Despite being so poorly, Jo remained unwaveringly positive. She took every set back in her stride and handled her situation with grace (with a couple of swear words chucked in there for good measure!)

She still ran her business, she still ordered multiple Zara packages online and sent them back (we used to say it was just a game), she still made time for people and made sure we were smiling, even when she was struggling. She was selfless.

Words can never do justice to describe what a true wonder and force of nature Jo was, but I want to make sure her energy, love and kindness continue to grace the world whilst raising awareness and support for a charity that was close to Jo’s heart.

So, in August, I am going to walking the Yorkshire three peaks raising money in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and in memory of my auntie. 

For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support and the amazing work they don- please check out the below link. Thank you to anyone who reads this, raises awareness and makes a donation.

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think”

At Macmillan, we give people with cancer everything we've got. If you're diagnosed, your worries are our worries. We will move mountains to help you live life as fully as you can. And we don't stop there. We're going all out to find even better ways to help people with cancer, helping to bring forward the day when everyone gets life-transforming support from day one. We're doing whatever it takes. But without your help we can't support everyone who needs us.