Greater Manchester

First helps Angela achieve charity mission

A 37-year-old mother of two from Swinton is planning to trek across Cuba to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Care.

Angela Coggins needed to raise at least £3000 in order to take part in the trek and has managed to hit her target after securing a donation of £730.

Angela, who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 34, decided to do the trek to raise awareness of the disease among younger women and to prove that it is possible to make a full recovery.

She said: "Following diagnosis my life felt out of my control; I was at the mercy of surgeons, oncologists and radioligists. Breast Cancer Care helped me keep hold of the practical things such as how to talk to my 4-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter about why I went bald and how Father Christmas would bring my hair back.

"They also helped me understand how to stay healthy through diet; vain as I am, I was desperate not to get fat on the steroids during the chemotherapy.


"Part of doing the trek is to show I have control of my life back. I want to get to the top of the Escambary Mountains and shout, "For anyone with cancer - I've endured the horrendous journey to recovery and am fit again - you can do it too.'



Angela will take part in the trek in February 2010, and is already preparing by planning to run her first 10km in October.

Claire Johnson, commercial director for First in Manchester, said: "Angela is an inspiration to us all and we're pleased to be able to support her worthwhile fundraising mission.

"First's Charity and Sponsorship Committee continually looks at ways to support local charitable causes like Angela's where we can make a difference to the communities in which we operate.'

The money will go towards paying to recruit and train a volunteer who has been affected by breast cancer, to provide support and information to newly diagnosed patients. It will also provide accurate and easy-to-read information booklets for 1,000 people with breast cancer.