A tireless campaigner who has battled cancer and seen close friends and family fall victim to the illness knows better than most the importance of fundraising events.
Sharon Aldridge, of Hemlock Road, East Acton, took her usual place amongst the entrants of the Fullers 10k event yesterday (Sunday) having so far amassed a quite staggering £22,778.60 in sponsorship.
It was the 18th time the brewery company had staged the fun run and walk on behalf of Cancer Research and Mrs Aldridge, 54, has personally been involved in the last 13 years worth of them.
Her grand total would be impressive enough if she was risking life and limb through events such as skydiving or mountaineering.
However, the most dangerous perils the housewife and full time carer is likely to face on her 10k stroll is likely to be the odd blister or sore knee - even in the most extreme of circumstances the worst that could happen is she might stumble and fall into the Thames!
However, despite the mild nature of her challenge, this hasn’t stopped her from successfully finding enough sponsors to top £1,000 every time she takes part.
This year alone she managed to rake in an impressive £2,565.
It was back in 2001 when she first found out about the event, after taking her daughter Kerry-Anne, now 22, for a swimming lesson at a local pool and spotting a leaflet in reception.
At the time her father Dennis Stanbridge had been dead 21 years after suffering from bowel cancer, while her grandmother had passed away the same year from breast and bile duct cancer.
Her mother Elsie Stanbridge, now 94, was diagnosed in Hammersmith Hospital with bone and blood cancer in 1989. For the last seven years Mrs Aldridge has been a full-time carer for her.
She said: “I just decided to give it a go and things literally went from there. To start with I just got sponsorship from parents and staff at Kerry-Anne’s school (Bentworth Primary in White City) but as time went on I got more ambitious.
“What I do now is I set aside five weeks close to the walk date when I go out and I pick a location in West London from Hounslow to Westminster and I spend from 9am-3pm daily (not weekends) chasing sponsors.
“I go into shops mainly and just ask customers and staff if they will pledge some money. I know what I’m doing isn’t huge, but it’s amazing how nice people are and how willing to support Cancer Research.
“Some places are so used to seeing me now I think they know in advance to expect me and already have the money ready to hand over!”
Over the years further tribulations have beset Mrs Aldridge as first her cousin was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2006, then she herself fought breast cancer in 2011 before her best friend Marion Andle died just last month from terminal abdominal cancer.
She said: “I had to have surgery but luckily only a lumpectomy and I didn’t have to lose a breast.
“My friend Marion didn’t know she was ill, she only went into hospital for what they thought was gallstones. Her death was so sudden and was such a devastating shock.
“My cousin was doing OK but I just heard from his wife last week that doctors have now found a cancerous tumour on the base of his spine so he has to start treatment for that.”
Mrs Aldridge is usually accompanied on the walk by her husband of 35 years Ken, 59, who works for a medical supply company in Park Royal.
The couple also have a 33-year-old son called Darren.
In 2011 Cancer Research rewarded her for her amazing efforts with a Lifetime Achievement award and Fullers even chipped in with a two-night stay at their hotel The Chamberlain in London.
Reflecting on her work so far Mrs Aldridge said: “I do amaze myself with how well I’ve done, but when I set my mind to something I usually achieve it.
“I have no idea how much higher the total will go, but I’m looking forward to carrying on for a long time yet.
“What I would really like is the chance to go and see for myself what some of the money I raise is spent on and to meet the people who benefit.
“They’re the reason I work as hard as I do.”
