The Preston College Hope 52 Challenge

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Hope 52 is Preston College’s charity challenge created in response to the profound impact cancer has on our community. With cancer affecting millions across the UK, including colleagues and their loved ones, this event is our way of standing together, showing solidarity, and raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK. The challenge centres on a 52.2‑mile walk - starting from Haigh Hall in Wigan, passing through Clitheroe, and finishing at Preston College - created to honour members of our staff who have been affected by cancer, as well as the wider college community. It also reflects the reality that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Alongside the full 52‑mile route, a series of shorter challenges (26, 10, 5, and the final College Mile) ensures everyone can take part in some way. By stepping forward, participants will help fund world‑class research and contribute to improving outcomes for those affected by cancer. As a college community, we’re aiming to raise at least £10,000 – but with your support, we can go even further. Please get involved, raise what you can, and share the Cancer Research UK fundraising page below with your friends, family and networks to make a real difference for those affected by cancer and show our unwavering support for our colleagues. Please read Claire's story: In July of 2025, I was told the news nobody ever wants to hear; A diagnosis of an Invasive Duct Carcinoma, Stage 2, Breast Cancer. It followed, that I was also BRCA2 Gene positive, posing future implications not just for me, but for my family also. Understandably, a devastating blow for everyone involved. Naturally, this has been a challenging journey, both physically and emotionally. Treatment plans are ongoing and I continue to approach with resilience and positivity. These are the kind of storms you never ask for, but I’m lucky that early detection has been key! Researching and making informed decisions, with the support of loved ones and great colleagues, has made it a lot easier to tackle the big stuff. In this vein, I am walking a double marathon (52 miles) through the night, to help raise vital funds to aid cancer research, so that treatments can continue to advance, help people endure with hope and fundamentally help save lives, for those that need it the most. Every little helps, so please help me and my colleagues turn pennies into pounds for Hope 52. Please donate what you can. Please read Noreen's story: I was diagnosed with Stage 2 triple positive breast cancer in 2022 – a day I’ll never forget. It felt like my world stopped turning when I heard the words, “You have cancer.” My first thought was my children. I didn’t want to die – I have two boys who need their mum, especially my eldest, who has autism. I had always imagined being there for him well into old age. Suddenly, that future felt uncertain. I had no obvious warning signs – no lump or noticeable changes. Because my mum had breast cancer at 52, I had been attending regular mammograms since turning 40. My cancer was picked up during routine screening, which shows just how vital early detection is. It can make all the difference in the treatment options available. The past three years have been incredibly challenging. At times, I lost myself, but with the support of medical teams, family, friends, and colleagues, I found my way through. My treatment included chemotherapy before surgery, followed by further preventative treatment and ongoing hormone therapy. I now have one final bone infusion remaining and will continue daily medication for the foreseeable future. Genetic testing showed that my cancer wasn’t linked to my mum’s. There’s no clear reason why I developed cancer – I was just unfortunate. The reality is that 1 in 2 people will face cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is a cruel disease which not only affects the person diagnosed but everyone who loves and cares about them. That’s why research is so important. It gives hope, improves treatments, and saves lives. Supporting cancer research has become incredibly meaningful to me – last November, I raised £1,285 through one of their challenges. Hope 52 is a fantastic fundraising event that I’m proud to support. Every penny counts in the fight to beat cancer. Please donate what you can.

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