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Mum With Breast Cancer Joins Celebs On Charity Trek

25/08/2010

A mum of one's joining a host of famous faces trekking through the Andes in Peru in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

Denise Van Outen, Holly Willoughby and Alexandra Burke are to trek through the Andes in Peru in aid of Breast Cancer Care this September.

Mum of one Lou Rall from Eastleigh will be joining them. Talking about the trip to Heart, she said

"I thought my adventuring days were over. Here I am battling secondary breast cancer, coping with chemotherapy and trying to keep life as 'normal' as possible for my family when an opportunity like this arises. I am eager to push the boundaries and be part of an exciting adventure with such a great team. Let's go girls!"

Lou was 30 and 8 months pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She dealt the best she could with treatment, but three years later the cancer spread to her bones. Six years on, Lou is having treatment to manage the cancer but it cannot be cured. She knows this trip will be a defining moment in her treatment.

Lou and the celebrities will be joined by five other women (Paula, Lisa, Jenny, Gaynor & Annabel) each of whom have also been diagnosed with breast cancer, some as recently as January this year and some up to 5 years ago. They are united by the desire to give something back to Breast Cancer Care which helped them all in some way during their breast cancer experience.

The nine day trip, which departs on 25 September, will see the women trekking up to 8 hours a day in tough conditions as they tackle the Andes mountain range in South America. Low levels of oxygen at high altitude will make breathing difficult and camping at 4,000 metres above sea level will mean sub zero temperatures at night. The trip culminates at the legendary Machu Picchu.

To show your support for the group, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/celebtrek .

Breast Cancer Care’s Samia al Quadhi said:

"To have the support of all these amazing women is incredible and I know that together all their hard work will ensure more people than ever before will know about Breast Cancer Care should they ever need us. I have no doubt they will have an amazing time and I look forward to hearing all about their exploits."

Breast Cancer Care is just a phone call or mouse click away for anyone who is affected by breast cancer. Our free helpline, information-packed website and online forums offer a friendly ear and expert advice to those dealing with the turmoil of this life-threatening illness. Across the UK we also offer skilled emotional and practical support through a range of confidential, face-to-face services, helping people every step of the way.

To find out more or get involved, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call us on 0845 092 0800.

Charity Challenge is the UK's leading adventure travel company specialising exclusively in fundraising expeditions. They operate over 100 challenges a year and were the official organisers of the celebrity Comic Relief challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009. Simon Albert and his team have raised over £26 million for more than 1000 UK and Irish registered charities.

Charity Challenge is a leader in responsible tourism (highly commended in 2007’s Responsible Tourism Award for Poverty Reduction), employing local guides and support staff and always trying to use locally owned accommodation. Charity Challenge ensure that experiences are positive for the local people and their community by making a donation from the profits of each expedition to a local community project within the country that the expedition takes place.

For an overview go to www.charitychallenge.com

Source: http://www.heart.co.uk/hampshire/local/news/mum-breast-cancer-joins-celebs-charity-trek/