HAVING leapt over one of the biggest hurdles of her life, a former cancer patient will once again turn to a trusty Macmillan nurse for support on her next challenge.

Sue Brierley, who is in remission from breast cancer, and nurse Yvonne Anderson will tackle an obstacle course at Newcastle Racecourse in October to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mrs Brierley, of Escomb near Bishop Auckland, began supporting Macmillan in 2012 when she took part in a walk for the charity in memory of her dad.

Little did she know, a few years later she would be diagnosed with breast cancer and was introduced to her Macmillan nurse Mrs Anderson.

Mrs Brierley said: “I don’t know how I would have coped without Yvonne. She’s supported me in so many ways. Not only helping me deal with the side effects of my treatment, which I found incredibly hard, but also being a listening ear when my diagnosis started to have a huge impact on my work.

"She was able to offer me advice and support on how to manage the difficulties I was having and has ultimately given me the confidence to set up my own business, The Gables podcamping which a few years ago I would never have been able to even contemplate."

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Mrs Brierley is now in remission and has yearly checks but Mrs Anderson is still a big part of her life. So, when she mentioned she was signing up for the stampede to raise money and give something back to Macmillan for the support she had received, her nurse and friend did not hesitate in signing up herself.

Together the duo will run, walk and crawl through the cross-country assault course.

"Nothing will be as bad as what I have been through,” she said.

The Stampede, said to be challenging but fun and suitable for most fitness levels, will take place on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 at Newcastle Racecourse. To sign up visit

Newcastle-racecourse.co.uk/Newcastle-stampede