Community nurse, Lou Hartley is off on an exciting three week tour of Europe by motorcycle. She will be visiting 10 countries and aims to raise a grand total of £40,000 for cancer charities: The Lavender Trust, Douglas Macmillan Research, Maggie’s Centre Nottingham and The Willow Foundation.
Plus, doing the trip on a motorcycle is no mean feat for Lou, when you consider that 6 months ago she didn’t even have a license and she’s a petite 5ft 2” and 8 stone wet through!
Lou was inspired to make the trip to help raise awareness of breast cancer in younger women after she was diagnosed with breast cancer just after turning 40 years of age. Whilst Lou is still recovering, her sister in law Alison has also had the disease at the age of 33. They’re living proof that the disease is striking women at a much earlier age and both Lou and Alison are determined to raise awareness of this issue as well as raise plenty of money for cancer charities.
Lou explains: “Whilst 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women over the age of 50, it seems the disease is becoming more common in younger women. And from the age of 20, women should self examine from time to time! I’m one of the lucky ones because I was breast aware and the doctor’s caught it in the early stages, but many women aren’t so lucky.”
Accompanying Lou on the trip is professional photographer Tristan Poyser, who will be capturing the complete experience for the website. Tristan, who has volunteered 3 weeks of his time to make the journey, is an integral part of the Breast Quest Team and has been involved in their fundraising activities from the beginning.
Throughout the journey together, Lou and Tristan will be making a video documentary of the trip with blogs, photos and podcasts all of which will be posted on the Breast Quest website. The fundamental reason behind the trip is to turn the whole experience right from Lou’s diagnosis, through to the completion of the tour, into a book which will offer support to other people in the same uncertain situation in which cancer inevitably leaves them, their friends and their family.
It is hoped that the additional proceeds of the book will go towards raising even more money for the above charities.
In support of their quest, Yamaha Motor UK has stepped in to lend a hand by supplying the pair two motorcycles to make the trip on. Lou will ride an MT 03 whilst Tristan will be using Yamaha’s latest FZ6 Fazer S2. Both motorcycles are more than capable for the journey ahead and will provide comfortable and thrilling riding which will certainly add to the excitement of the whole adventure. The Breast Quest duo will kick off the trip in the Market Square, Nottingham on Saturday 19 July at 4pm. Lou and Tristan, riding their Yamahas, will be waved off by the Lord Mayor and accompanied by some 20 Nottingham Advanced Motorcyclists before they roar off to get the ferry.
If you or your company would like to offer your services or make a financial contribution to the trip please contact Lou or Tristan via the Breast Quest website: www.breastquest2008.co.uk
1 woman, 10 countries, 3,000 miles on a Yamaha around Europe
