A group of workmates walked over 1,200 miles to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer

A group of workmates battled through the cold to complete a mammoth charity challenge.

Staff from Sheila Fleet Jewellery in Orkney completed the charity challenge to raise funds and awareness of pancreatic cancer.

They have ‘travelled’ virtually from their home in Orkney to Glasgow and back again, a total of over 1,280 miles.

To clock up the miles they walked, ran, cycled and rowed around their island base. They ‘set off’ on 1 November - the start of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and they completed their challenge 19 days later on Thursday 19 November – World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

The team have raised over £5,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland (PCAS), where Sheila is a patron.

Sheila sadly lost her husband Rick to pancreatic cancer in 2013 and since then she has supported the charity in many ways, including support from her Daisies at Dawn collection, where every sale donates to the charity.

The team consisted of 33 members, which also included Sheila, son Martin and his wife Mairi. 

The team’s aim was to reach Glasgow Royal Infirmary – where there is a dedicated pancreatic cancer nurse. 

Rick was a keen and very talented photographer and many of his photos inspired Sheila’s designs. As the team covered their miles, they took a series of stunning photos which showcase the island’s beauty and Rick would have been very impressed.

As well as raising money, awareness and remembering Rick, the challenge was also hugely motivating. It gave the team a goal, got them out exercising, boosted their wellbeing and left them energized. 

Martin Fleet said “We are delighted with the distance that the team has covered, over 1280 miles in total. We covered the distance to Glasgow in just five days and knew we were going to push the challenge further than the initial 638 miles. It’s an incredible achievement by the team to double our goal.”

Murray Easton, head of fundraising and supporter relations for PCAS, said: “We're delighted that all of the team at Sheila Fleet Jewellery took part in this challenge and that they got so much out of it in terms of their health and wellbeing. Thank you to Sheila, Mairi, Martin and the team for their support in increasing awareness about the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and for smashing their fundraising target. We are determined to make the 2020's the decade of change for pancreatic cancer and this level of support makes a real difference.'