A WOMAN from Darlington is set to raise money for charity in a very interesting and inspiring way this year.

Jennifer Waller, 56, is aiming to raise “as much as possible” for her brother-in-law Charles Hedley who was diagnosed with myeloma last February.

Myeloma is a rare and incurable blood cancer and is not very well known amongst cancers but it can hit anyone at any time.

Jennifer Waller said: “The only way of curing this cancer is to raise money to fund research.” Her plan is to raise money through an unusual method.

Jennifer is set to stand on a stage in front of a large audience at a “Pure-Elite” fitness show wearing only a bikini.

She added: “I have been promised up to £500 for doing this already and I am hoping through my efforts I will create more awareness of the disease and raise more money in the process. It is tough fundraising but without it finding a cure for myeloma will continue to elude us.”

‘Pure-Elite’ is the largest bikini, fitness and muscle model competition in Europe with competitors attending from 102 countries, however anyone can enter, and no experience is necessary.

Jennifer Waller said: “This is going to be quite a challenge for me in many ways as I have never owned a bikini and if I did I would be too embarrassed to put it on, even in my own bedroom.

“In the show I will be covered in sparkles and have to wear high heels, I normally wear trainers. I’m very shy and the type of person who will run into the swimming pool as quickly as possible.”

Jennifer recognises that it will be a “huge challenge” which will need 100 per cent commitment to diet, weightlifting and cardio training. She said: “My body fat percentage has to fall from 30 per cent to 15 per cent and at my age this will be no small task.

“But I would like to inspire any women of my age that this journey and hopefully the result is possible.”

Jennifer is set to complete the fundraiser alone following a high protein planned diet cutting out carbs and alcohol. She said: “The biggest thing is controlling my appetite. I have never succeeded to stick to my diet plan for more than 24hrs but because I’m raising money for charity this time, I think it will be easier”

Her brother-in-law Charles Hedley has undergone 6 months of chemotherapy culminating in a stem cell transplant together with a final dose of very aggressive chemo.

Jennifer said that if her brother-in-law can do that, she can do this.

She added: "Charles has received excellent care from the NHS and thanks to the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital and to the Northern Cancer Centre at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle where treatment is organised regionally but delivered locally. Charles is now in remission which hopefully will last many years. And it is hoped that before the cancer returns a cure may have been found."

Jennifer will be writing a bi-weekly blog updating her progress sent to us which we will then print and put online. You can read her introduction to the blog below:

Jennifer Waller blog post introduction:

New Year’s Resolutions. There is no easy way to get started, you either do it or not. So 1st January and I’m at last home after doing the park run, the longest and slowest 3 miles EVER. And this is only the beginning.

For me this is not all about the usual New Year’s resolution. I normally break them sometime into the first day of January. But this year is different. I am here to raise money to help fight myeloma. Early in 2019 my brother-in-law Charles was diagnosed with myeloma, a rare and incurable blood cancer. Myeloma is not well known amongst cancers but is indiscriminate and can hit anyone at any time. After aggressive chemotherapy treatment patients enter a period of remission, but the myeloma does not go away and so the treatment will have to begin again. The only way of curing this cancer is to raise money to fund research.

My plan it to try to raise at least £5,000, the method is rather unusual. On July 5th 2020 I will be appearing in a transformation/bikini competition with PureElite (https://pure-elite.com) where I will be required to not only have sculptured my rather chubby body into a physique of sheer magnificence but will also parade around the stage, with women at least 20 years younger than me, and wear nothing but a pair of high heels and a jewel encrusted bikini. Every fortnight during the six months between now and showtime I will be updating my progress, highs and lows, pitfalls and panic.

If any of my story has affected you at all please donate via my website below. Many thanks for your interest and support.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jennifer-waller2020