A mum and her six-year-old son have raised more than £1,450 for Breast Cancer UK after completing a 200-mile fundraising challenge in memory of their beloved mum and nana, who recently lost her life to breast cancer.
Throughout the school summer holidays, Jade Conway and her son Archie, six, took on the challenge of running and cycling around their hometown of Long Eaton, using the miles to keep the memory of Jade’s mum, Amanda, alive while helping them process their grief together.
Originally, Archie had set himself the goal of cycling 40 miles by the time he returned to school in September. However, after deciding he didn’t want his mum running without him, he increased his target to an incredible 100 miles.
The pair headed out three or four times a week, with Archie cycling the bike his nana had bought him, and together they successfully completed their 200-mile challenge over six weeks.
Amanda, who was 53 when she died, was first diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and underwent a mastectomy. After receiving reconstructive surgery, she hoped the worst was behind her. However, about a year ago she found a lump in her reconstructed breast.
After having it checked, she was told it was “virtually impossible” that the cancer would return in the reconstructed breast. They scanned it and attributed the lump to fat necrosis – a benign, non-cancerous condition where fatty tissue in the breast is damaged and forms a firm lump or cyst.
No biopsy was performed and she went away thinking everything was okay.
However, a few months ago she started suffering excruciating pain in her joints and back and, after further investigation, was told the lump was in fact breast cancer.
She was due to have radiotherapy but, while waiting for treatment, was rushed to A&E by her partner as the pain had reached an unbearable level. Following a scan, it was revealed that the cancer had aggressively spread to her spine and pelvis and caused eight broken ribs and two fractures in her spine.
The hot weather over the summer made choosing the best time to head out and clock up the miles tricky, while the distances left both Jade and Archie with plenty of tired limbs. Despite this, the pair found the fundraising challenge therapeutic and a way to process their grief together.
Jade, 31, said: “We didn’t have enough time to prepare as she deteriorated so quickly. Archie’s only six and he saw her all the time and adored her. I had to come home one day from the hospital and tell him she’d gone and that was devastating.”
The duo documented their challenge on TikTok, with Archie sharing stories and memories of his nana with their followers.
The family now plan to continue the account after completing the fundraising challenge to highlight how breast cancer can still occur in reconstructed breasts.
Having originally set themselves a £500 fundraising target, Jade and Archie have now raised more than £1,450 for Breast Cancer UK, with donations still continuing to come in.
To support the mum and son and make a donation, visit Jade and Archie’s JustGiving page – www.justgiving.com/page/jade-archie-140
You can also check out their TikTok videos at @archie4nana on TikTok
