Memories of my much loved sister has helped spur me on

Clare Peterkin died at the age of 41, ten years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, which went on to spread to other parts of her body.

The mother-of-three had been cared for by Macmillan nurses – and her brother Andy Guthrie is so grateful for their support that he wants to highlight to others how important Macmillan Cancer Support is.

Mr Guthrie, a Leamington musician and music teacher, said: “She was amazingly brave and fought for years. Even when she was in hospital, she would go round the wards to give massages to other patients.

“All the nurses who had treated her turned up at her funeral. The church was so packed, you could not get in.

“I wanted to do something in her memory and I felt that the Macmillan nurses had been so brilliant and their role was so important that it seemed appropriate to raise funds for them.”

One year after raising £1,891 for the charity by taking on 100 miles of the Cotswolds Way, the 47-year-old is this year taking part, along with his wife Jacqui and children Ella and Fern, in Mamillan’s Hatton Locks walk on Sunday May 13.

Proceeds will go towards funding the therapists, nurses and support line workers who care for people living with cancer.

Karen Shortt, Macmillan’s Warwickshire fundraising manager, said: “The Hatton Locks canal walk is absolutely beautiful, taking in sights of the lovely English countryside.

“By taking part, you’ll be showing your support for people affected by cancer, standing shoulder to shoulder with others who feel the same.”

Both routes of the walk start at Warwick Parkway station at 10am, with registration beginning at 8.30am. Entry costs £10 or free for under-16s. To find out more, call 0300 1000 200 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk/walking

To sponsor Mr Guthrie, visit www.justgiving.com/andrewguthrie