Woman swaps presents for cancer charity aid
Matthew SparkesRather than throwing a party or going for a meal, one Norfolk woman will set off on a charity hike at midnight to celebrate her birthday.Matthew Sparkes
Rather than throwing a party or going for a meal, one Norfolk woman will set off on a charity hike at midnight to celebrate her birthday.
Sarah Daniels found that her 43rd birthday on June 17 fell on the day before the Starlight Walk.
The 13-mile trek around Norwich's ring road has raised over �200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in just four years.
So in memory of a friend who died of breast cancer last year, she decided to take part and raise cash for the charity rather than treat herself.
'It's meant to be,' she said of the dates almost coinciding.
And she has invited all of her friends to come along and donate rather than buy her presents.
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Mrs Daniels, who runs her own health and safety training company from her home off Newmarket Road in Norwich, expects at least eight people will join her and dress up in tiaras and feather boas.
'I've lost one of my friends to breast cancer. She was only 37, and my nan was diagnosed with skin cancer,' she said.
'I don't need presents this year, I want to do something. I just really like the idea of doing something different.'
Mrs Daniels has promised her friends that she will make them dinner after the walk, which is expected to take around four hours.
She said that the work Macmillan do is vitally important and that she was passionate that: 'We need to get rid of this disease.'
'You feel better about doing something. You've got pain and you need to work that pain out of you,' she said.
In the past she has also helped local cancer charity the Big C by donating her health and safety expertise for free.
Her grandmother, Marjorie Rowe, was recently diagnosed with skin cancer and will help Mrs Daniels' fundraising efforts by following suit on her 90th birthday this year.
Instead of holding a large party she will have a small lunch with family and donate the money to Macmillan.
Are you taking part in the Starlight Walk? Tell us why by calling reporter Matthew Sparkes on 01603 772439 or by emailing matthew.sparkes@archant.co.uk
For more information on the Starlight Walk or to register to take part, visit www.starlightwalknorwich.co.uk or call 01603 593779
To see more coverage on the Starlight Walk visit the Evening News at www.eveningnews24.co.uk/starlight
