Two brothers, alongside family members and friends, are embarking on a 190-mile walk across Britain to fund life-extending cancer treatment for their sister. The group aims to raise money for specialist care not currently available through the NHS and to highlight challenges faced by families affected by rare cancers.
Eight-Day Trek Across Three National Parks
The challenge begins on Saturday, July 25, as brothers David and Peter Wilson, together with family members, trek from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire over eight days. They will average more than a marathon a day while climbing 35,000 feet across three national parks.
Every step is for Anne Haslam, who lives just outside Buxton in the Peak District and is living with metastatic uveal melanoma, a rare form of eye cancer affecting around 700 people in the UK each year. After being diagnosed in December 2022, she underwent surgery before learning that the illness had spread to her liver.
Specialist Treatment Not Funded by NHS
Anne is now receiving chemosaturation, a specialist treatment that delivers high doses of chemotherapy directly to the liver while limiting the impact on the rest of the body. Although approved, the treatment is not currently funded by the NHS, leaving each round costing more than £40,000.
The family has already raised thousands of pounds through crowdfunding to support the former mountain leader and cyclist. They are supported by the charity Ocular Melanoma UK, which is campaigning for better access to specialist care and for the treatment to be made available on the NHS.
Family's Motivation and Message
Peter Wilson said: "Watching someone you love face cancer is incredibly difficult. Watching them then have to worry about how they'll pay for treatment makes it even harder. Walking has always been something our family has enjoyed together, and Anne has always loved being outdoors. Taking on the Coast to Coast felt like the perfect way to honour that while doing something meaningful to support her. We know it won't change her diagnosis, but we're hoping it will help give her access to the treatment she needs while also raising awareness of this devastating disease."
Anne’s daughter, Sophie Holt, added: "No family should have to crowdfund to access potentially life-extending treatment. Mum has shown unbelievable courage throughout everything she's faced. This challenge is our family's way of standing beside her and doing everything we can to give her the best possible chance. Rare cancers often don't receive the same level of awareness, research or investment as more common cancers. If sharing Mum's story helps more people understand the challenges families face, while also raising awareness of uveal (ocular) melanoma and the need for better access to specialist treatments, then every mile will be worthwhile. The support we've received so far has been overwhelming, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated, shared our story or simply cheered the team on."
How to Follow and Support
Progress can be followed live online via the Wilson Coast to Coast Challenge tracker. Donations can be made directly via JustGiving at their crowdfunding page.
