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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Keiran Fleming

Gran passes Glasgow as she treks around UK for son who survived leukaemia twice

A 66-year-old woman has passed Glasgow on her 7,500 trek around the UK coastline for her son who survived leukaemia twice.

Stella Parke has set herself the mammoth challenge after her son, Simon, was given just two months to live in October.

Thankfully the now 48-year-old is recovering after undergoing his second successful stem cell transplant.

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing stars spotted celebrating special day at Glasgow restaurant

Stella told Glasgow Live: "I can't get across to people what the last five years have been like.

"The first diagnosis causes you to crumble and fold in on yourself but Simon is a really strong person.

"On the first day he went straight to chemo and he told us that there is no elephant in this room and laughed in the face of adversity.

"The worst feeling was when he was told he only had two months to live in October, I don't think I'll ever get over that.

"They came along with a trial drug that they hadn't used on relapsed patients before and he went into remission after a month. He had his second lot of stem cell treatment in January this year.

Stella set off alongside her son from Blackpool (supplied)

"Some friends had to crowdfund to help with the trial.

"I feel like it has been miracle after miracle.

"He surprised me because he drove up to walk over the Erskine Bridge with me."

The Preston gran began her epic challenge on March 4 in Blackpool and has has covered over 670 miles.

Stella is also hoping to raise cash and awareness for Anthony Nolan, a charity dedicated to stem cell donation, who she credits with saving Simon's life twice.

The 66-year-old said: "They gave me something I didn't think I was going to have.

"I thought I'd be burying my son at Christmas but he has now walked over the Erskine Bridge with me.

"For me to still have my son is miraculous. He has a 14-year-old son so the impact of Anthony Nolan is so great.

"I can't describe how I feel about the work they do."

Taking on the hike around the UK's coastline has always in the back of the Stella's mind and it was a challenge she never thought she would have the opportunity to take on.

However, after nearly losing Simon to leukaemia, she decided to take on the mammoth feat to give back to the charity that means so much to her family.

Sally is now making her way around Scotland (supplied)

Stella said: "I always wanted to do this.

"From my 20s I've been dreaming about doing this walk, in my 50s I thought that dream was over because I started having joint problems.

"Obviously with my son Simon having leukaemia twice in the last five years and the impact Anthony Nolan has had on our lives, I thought I should give it a go.

"I've been planning this walk for two years and I wanted to do it for a charity Simon wanted to raise money for and he said Anthony Nolan.

"It really is going well. It has been absolutely amazing.

"I just thought I'd head out and see beautiful places, but it is just about the people.

"Everyday I hear wonderful stories and am given wonderful support. I've only been on the road nine weeks and can see there is far more good than bad in the world.

"Quite frankly I'm having a ball."

To donate to the fundraiser click here to find out more about Anthony Nolan click here

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