On the 21st May 2022, Sam Maddock of Plymouth arranged the Princetown to Plymouth Primrose plod. Whilst preparing for the plod and making all the necessary behind-the-scenes arrangements she never expected to receive such a huge amount of interest. Sam knew The Primrose Foundation was a charity close to many people’s hearts, particularly her own as she too had been a Primrose patient, but she never expected the event to raise a whooping £5719.

Here Sam tells us her story and what is next for the Primrose plod.

Sam says, just over 5 years ago, my Mum Kim was diagnosed with an unknown primary cancer that most probable started in her lungs. Her treatment has been long and at times intense and yet she continues to fight the fight in every way possible with both myself, my sister Carly and my amazing Dad there to help her every step of the way – that is until 2021 when age just 39 I too received the devastating news that I had breast cancer. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I was used to supporting my Mum through her treatment, not the one who needed her to support me.

I was diagnosed with grade 2 ductal carcinoma which required 3 surgeries, with the final one being a mastectomy with an implant.

I would be lying if I didn’t say it hasn’t been difficult, I had good days and bad days, but I do consider myself very lucky as in the grand scheme of breast cancer treatment I feel that I have been one of the lucky ones especially when I see everything my Mum has gone through.

The treatment I received at the Primrose breast care centre was fantastic and as a thank you for all the care I received I wanted to give back to the service that supported me and so I arranged the Princetown to Plymouth Primrose plod which was a gentle walk starting at Princetown and finishing at Coypool in Plympton, Plymouth.

The plod was a huge success, we were joined by so many people, there were too many to count. Everyone chatted along the way and had lots of fun. Some completed the full 18 miles while others joined us halfway from the Skylark. To finish things off, once we had all freshened up, we ended the day with a big fundraising party at Plymouth Parkway Football club.

I would like to thank everyone who supported this event, all those that came along and everyone who donated and sponsored one of the plodders. Together we raised an amazing £5679 which will all go to supporting both the Oncology department & the Primrose breast care centre at Derriford Hospital.

To keep the momentum of the plod going I have decided to make the plod a monthly event where we will meet, plod and chat – nothing strenuous, just a group of local friendly people meeting up and stretching their legs so if you would like to join the plod, please visit our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Princetown-to-Plymouth-Primrose-Plod-108103951811164

To end this successful story, I am also thrilled to confirm that as the main plod was such a huge success, I would love to make it an annual event so please keep an eye out for our 2023 Princetown to Plymouth Primrose plod.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Sam

The Princetown to Plymouth Primrose Plod fundraiser