Rosie's Stick Walk for Macmillan Cancer Support

About Me

 I have had non Hodgkin’s lymphoma since Autumn 2017 when I suddenly became ill at work at Castle Hill School. I'm now in remission but sadly I've had to retire from the teaching job I loved. Lymphoma remains in the system and is likely to recur sometime in the future; then it can be treated once again. After a delay due to chemotherapy a knee replacement may now at last be on the horizon and meanwhile my trusty ski sticks are often used for country walks. This walk will be completed in ½ to 1 mile sections and not all in 1 go! My target is 25 miles but who knows!

About This Walk and the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

 This year’s (2020-2021) World’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support and based at Castle Hill School is very different because of safety issues due to Coronavirus. Usually our school community gets together to make and share home-made biscuits, cakes, samosas and bhajis and to raise hundreds of pounds for Macmillan. This sponsored walk is one of a number of new fundraising ideas. 90% of the money raised will go to Macmillan and 10% to the school.

About Cancer, the Coronavirus and Macmillan Cancer Support

 One in two people will have Cancer at some point in their lives. Thank goodness treatments are improving over time. Although the NHS has worked very hard to protect cancer services since March 2020 people with cancer have been hard hit; some have had their treatment delayed and there has been a 25% drop in urgent check ups compared with 2019 due to fear of Coronavirus infection (BBC News October 2020). Many people have been shielding and have struggled with anxiety and loneliness. Macmillan Cancer Support is a much needed lifeline for us all. They have been a huge support to me with detailed booklets on my condition, spot on financial advice and always a listening ear. They also provide support groups, Macmillan doctors and nurses and other health professionals.

About the School

 Castle Hill School in Huddersfield works with learners aged 3-19 with severe or profound learning difficulties; many also have complex needs linked to physical and health difficulties and some are identified as on the autistic spectrum. Some pupils have sensory and some have multisensory impairment. The school specialises in interaction and communication and fundraising, for areas such as a sensory pod and the school library, makes a huge positive difference to the pupils’ learning experiences.
 They are an amazing community of pupils and staff; staff work extremely hard to enable their pupils to move on in their learning and they all share joy in their achievements. As you can tell I miss working there.


       Thank you for reading this and please help if you can.

             Wishing you well,

                     Rosie Pemberton

Thank you to everyone for your kindness. The road goes on! x

14th December 2020. I've now walked over 13 miles. It takes a while but this is over half way.
  Your donations are an inspiration. Thank you so much everyone for this overwhelming response.