A DENBIGHSHIRE woman may have reached a major milestone for 2022, but there will be no let-up in the closing months of the year.

Ali Alcock, from Corwen, has been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support over the past six years and she has just hit her target of raising £20,000 this year.

That is an amazing achievement by social worker Ali, who still has plans to raise even more money as part of her 'The Big C Part 6 challenge'.

Earlier this year, a Kit Off for Cancer calendar was published and Ali is looking to sell more of them before the end of 2022.

Carol singing is also in the pipeline, as well as fundraising outside Home Bargains, in Llangollen.

 

Denbighshire Free Press: Lois Wynne, project coordinator with Ifor Williams Trailers, and Ali Alcock. Picture: IWTLois Wynne, project coordinator with Ifor Williams Trailers, and Ali Alcock. Picture: IWT

 

"I have been fundraising for six years," said Ali.

"In the first four years, we raised £5,000 per year.

"Last year, we raised a massive £20,000."

That certainly spurred Ali on with her fundraising efforts this year, as did the death of her beloved cousin, Mark 'Weeksy' Weeks, of Johnstown, near Wrexham, who lost his courageous battle with a terminal brain tumour last September.

Fittingly, she reached the £20,000-mark for this year on the anniversary week of Mark's death.

With the cost of living crisis now biting, Ali admitted: "It's been hard going.

"There were moments I thought I wouldn't be able to do it this year.

"But I have been so overwhelmed by the support in the local community."

A seven-day challenge over the summer focused on most of this year's fundraising activities.

As part of the week, Ali - who’s terrified of heights - looked to conquer her fears with a 10-minute wing-walk as a plane was doing aerobatics!

She also completed a 15,000 ft skydive, did a hike up Snowdon, held a charity race night in Chirk, in addition to charity football matches.

More recently, an auction of promises at the end of last month raised in the region of £800.

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Macmillan coffee mornings in the local community, Chirk and Wrexham have also been a big part of the fundraising - and Ali is already planning for 2023!

"My cousin was a seasoned hiker and the hikers have set me a challenge next year!" added Ali, sounding slightly worried!

Ali would like to thank her main sponsors Ifor Williams Trailers, Dragon Drilling and Vintage Home Styles Emporium.

She said: "Their sponsorship or support means all the money I raise does go to Macmillan and it does remain in the North Wales region.

"My total over the six years is in excess of £60,000."

Ali is a seven-year cancer survivor.

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015.

After failed treatments, the only option left was for her to have a hysterectomy and following this, when was given the all clear.

"I fundraise for Macmillan and I am a passionate ambassador as I have had first hand experience of the invaluable support and services Macmillan provide to people living with cancer and their families," added Ali.