A 70-year-old woman from St Ives is preparing to compete in a national powerlifting competition later this month (December) following her cancer diagnosis.
Sue Allen, who attends NW Fitness Studio in the town, has taken the brave decision to compete in the Nottingham Strong Open event on December 17 and will be competing against girls as young as 17.
She will be raising funds for Target Ovarian Cancer after she was diagnosed with stage 4b ovarian cancer in January 2021.
Sue had chemotherapy and made an initial recovery but following a recurrence this January, she is now living with the cancer and as much as she does not like to admit it, it has an impact on how she trains and the intensity she’d like to push to.
Nick Whateley, who runs NW Fitness Studio, said: “Sue has been powerlifting for two years and has participated in many of our gym’s internal events.
“She is incredibly strong and determined both physically and mentally and hasn’t let living with stage 4 ovarian cancer stop her doing what she loves to do, lifting weights.”
He added: “Sue is a huge part of our NW Fitness Studio community here in St. Ives and at 70 years old is an inspiration and a role model to anyone who thinks it’s too late to start weight lifting."
Sue is determined to raise awareness of the symptoms that led to her diagnosis and to encourage women to see their GP.
She will be supported by another NW Fitness member, 30-year-old Vicki Bowles who has taken part in a 10k walk and a charity bake sale.
You can donate to Sue and Vicky’s fundraiser here: Victoria Bowles is fundraising for Target Ovarian Cancer (justgiving.com).
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