Railway House staff trek to Blackpool to raise funds for Kate Hoyle's cancer treatment

Staff from the Railway House nursery in Littleborough have raised £3,400 for local mum Kate Hoyle, who is treating a terminal diagnosis of cancer holistically, after walking to Blackpool on Saturday (15 July).

Nursery manager and event organiser Michelle Cheetham was joined by Emilee Bowker, Natalie Dugdale, Latisha Hampson, Grace Hewitt and Alice Galvin who all set off on 47 mile trek to help raise funds for Kate, 33.

Emilee Bowker said: “It took us 15 hours and we were met at Blackpool Tower by Kate, her partner and her little boy who attends our setting.

“We all cried with absolute relief and joy.”

 

 

The nursery staff were joined at Haslingden by members of Littleborough Boxing Club – including Mark Oldham, Lily Galvin, Leevan Fong, Lexie Kershaw and Ian Unsworth – who joined them for the remainder of the distance.

The Railway House staff hope to reach their target of £5,000.

Michelle Cheetham added: “It was a huge challenge and we achieved it; there was so much pain and determination from us all for a good cause.

“We also raised over £1,000 with sponsor forms. Every little bit will add up and help Kate and her family. Thank you all.”

 

 

Kate said: “I can’t believe they walked all the way to Blackpool. They are absolutely amazing people.

“Thank you all so much and to all that donated. It really does mean the world to us.”

Kate, who has her own dog-walking service, Kate’s Pet Corner, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, receiving a terminal diagnosis just a month later.

As the Littleborough mum of three was breastfeeding at the time, her symptoms were initially put down to a blocked milk duct.

Kate is being treated by the NHS using antihormone therapy – which will put her into menopause, preventing hormones from feeding the cancer – and a targeted treatment called Ribociclib.

She is also undergoing a holistic treatment, using weekly vitamin C infusions and hyperbaric oxygen therapy and has found a specialist doctor in Germany who is willing to treat her bone metastases “with an intent to cure.”

The treatment in Germany will cost £4,000 with Kate aiming to meet the doctor in September after her first scan results.

Donations can be made via JustGiving:

• www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/therailwayhouse-nursery-1