RTC North colleagues, friends, and family are digging out their walking boots in aid of UK charity, Maggie’s, who provide emotional support for people with cancer, and their families.

This summer, the team will be walking the National Three Peaks, to help raise money for Maggie’s. The challenge includes hiking Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon all in 24 hours.

The UK’s cancer survival has doubled over the last 40 years but one in two people is being diagnosed with the disease. Jamie Ollivere, CEO of innovation and business growth company RTC North said:

“We know cancer diagnosis will affect so many of us and many of the team at RTC have their own story. My wife Anne-Marie was rocked by an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis in 2022, the week after losing her father to a rare form of leukaemia.

“Treatment pathways and clinical care has been great, but in the end, it was the emotional pressure that took a real toll on us. Colleagues at RTC, family and friends rallied around and provided reassurance but it was the expertise of the team at Maggie's that really made changed her outlook and changed her life.”

Anne-Marie, an Advisory Inclusion Teacher and Team leader in County Durham, added:

“I think the hardest thing for me was the acceptance it was happening and my levels of anxiety about what was ahead for myself and my family. I contacted Maggie’s north east centre and talked to the centre head, who was also an experienced breast care nurse. She talked me through what to expect and was honest about the facts. It was tough at times to hear but the conversation with someone who knows what is going on really helped me rationalise what was happening and I walked out of Maggie’s that Friday with a new sense of purpose, determined to think differently.

“I’d urge anyone anxious about the future to call in to their local Maggie’s.”

Maggie’s North East Centre Head, Karen, who supported Anne-Marie added:

“We’re so grateful to Anne-Marie and everyone at RTC North for taking on this huge challenge for Maggie’s! Almost everything at Maggie’s is funded by our local community. All the funds raised will go towards providing free cancer support.

"One of the things that makes Maggie’s special is that you don’t need an appointment. You can simply walk-in to a Maggie’s centre, or pick up the phone to speak with our cancer support specialists. You can talk about any aspect of your cancer - this could be emotional support, help understanding your diagnosis or advice on managing side effects from treatments.

"We know cancer can be life-changing, and that it can affect so many areas of your life, not just your health. That’s why our team of experts includes benefit advisors to help with financial support, and counselling for anyone who might need some additional emotional support.

"Our north east centre is in the grounds of Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, providing free cancer support for the whole of the region.

"Across the UK, Maggie’s has 24 cancer centres, all in the grounds of major cancer hospitals, including Newcastle, Yorkshire, Manchester and Merseyside.”

Visit our JustGiving Page here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/threepeaksformaggies

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Maggie's can help.