A THURROCK family is stepping out to support a campaign aiming to raise awareness of blood cancer including lymphoma, the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and for 2020 Lymphoma Action are teaming up with Leukaemia Care for their first ever Bridges of Britain walk. Taking part is simple – participants are asked to get friends and family to sponsor them to complete a seven mile walk on the weekend of Sunday, 27 September with only one rule, your route must include a bridge!

Zoe Rawe from Chadwell St Mary is taking part in the challenge with her husband and three sons to raise funds for Lymphoma Action.

Zoe's son, Tyler, recently took part in a bungee jump challenge for the charity, raising more than £500.

"It is a cause close to our hearts" says Zoe. "My mum was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2019. Thankfully her treatment was successful, and she is now in remission. Lymphoma Action support so many people affected by lymphoma throughout their diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Tyler's recent bungee jump, and us taking part in the Bridges of Britain event are opportunities to offer our support to those affected by the condition who may be going through an experience similar to our own."

"We are so grateful to Zoe and her family for their support" says Sarah Thorn, Community and Partnerships Manager at Lymphoma Action.

"This is appreciated all the more at a time when we have faced increased pressure through an unprecedented demand for our services, and a substantial drop in income owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Whilst of course we can't run fundraising events that encourage mass gatherings at the moment, we are still thinking of ways that people can continue to support us and raise money and awareness to support people affected by lymphoma.

"Bridges of Britain encourages people to take part in their local area wherever they are in the UK, all of course whilst practicing safe social distancing to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. Through funds raised by people like Zoe and her family, we can continue our working in making sure that no one has to face lymphoma alone."

Lymphoma Action are the only charity in the UK dedicated to lymphoma. We are here to make sure everyone affected by the condition receives the best possible information, support, treatment and care so that no one has to face lymphoma alone.

For further details on Bridges of Britain, and how you can get involved, click here.