With a demanding job as a primary school teacher, Kelly Turnbull could be forgiven for putting her feet up at the weekends, but instead the 24-year-old from Warwick is busy training for a big challenge next month. Kelly will be taking on a 100km walk along the Jurassic Coast – without stopping to sleep – in a bid to raise funds for a charity very close to her heart, the British Liver Trust.
“Last year, my brother was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)” explains Kelly. “PSC is a rare, chronic liver disease with no known cure. For someone in their 20s, it has had a huge impact on his life, affecting his health, his plans, and his sense of normality. Right now, all he can do is learn to live with the condition and manage it as best he can.
“What makes PSC even harder is how little is still known about it. While clinical trials are ongoing and hope exists for the future, research is desperately needed to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
“This is why I wanted to take on a challenge for the British Liver Trust. They work tirelessly to improve prevention, awareness, and support for people affected by liver disease like my brother, so this is my way of doing something practical to help him.”
Whilst Kelly admits she has always been drawn to a challenge, she chose the Jurassic coast hike as she wanted to really test her limits in order to boost her fundraising.
“Walking 100k is going to be incredibly tough, but knowing it’s for such a wonderful charity will give me a real sense of purpose and motivation to keep going, even when it gets hard,” she says. “I’ve been training with lots of long walks as well as leg strengthening several times a week and getting out for runs when I can to keep my cardio strong. Being a teacher means I’m on my feet all day, which helps too. As for the sleep deprivation, I’m hoping the adrenaline and the atmosphere on the day will carry me through. I’ve always been a bit of a night owl, so I’m counting on that working in my favour!
“I’m taking on this challenge with my best friend from university and we’re lucky to have friends and family coming along to different points to cheer us on. Knowing they’ll be there will be such a huge comfort and a real boost when things start to get tough.”
Kelly is delighted to have smashed her original fundraising target of £500 with over a month to go.
“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the support I’ve received. I never expected such an outpouring of encouragement and generosity. It’s made me more determined than ever to complete it and raise as much as I can, knowing I have the backing of so many kind and supportive people.”
And she’s confident that her day job will stand her in good stead:
“I’m constantly on the move, whether that’s running up and down stairs, setting up lessons, or joining in with movement breaks. And I have to say… surely a 100k walk can’t be tougher than answering hundreds of questions from 8 and 9-year-olds all day long!”
Dan Painter Public Fundraising Manager at British Liver Trust commented: “As a charity, we are leading the fight against liver disease and liver cancer. We reach over two million people each year; providing information and support to patients and families and providing vital advice to help people improve their liver health. But there is still so much to be done. Liver disease is the only major disease in the UK where death rates are rising, and we want to change that. We’re so grateful to Kelly for taking on this amazing challenge in support of her brother and hope it proves a truly memorable experience.”
Kelly’s Jurassic Coast Challenge takes place on May 16 – 17 and you can support her here Kelly Turnbull is fundraising for British Liver Trust.
