Woman battling cancer completes rehab walking challenge to raise money for Guys Hospital in London

A WOMAN battling cancer has completed a 70 mile rehabilitation journey and raised thousands of pounds for the hospital that saved her life.

Julie Mullis, who lives with husband Steve in Newbury, was diagnosed with lung cancer in September last year and has since undergone two separate operations to remove tumours from both her right and left lungs at Guys Hospital in London.

On Saturday, the 72-year-old, who has 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson, completed the challenge of walking the equivalent distance from her home to the London hospital – a total of 112,654m - raising more than £2,500 on her way.

Mrs Mullis, who has previously battled breast cancer and also has an eight-inch titanium plate in her back because her spine is crumbling, said she was “still up on cloud nine” after smashing her initial fundraising target of £500.

“I did my last 1,500m and I finished at the Dogs Trust [shop] in Newbury and the manager had a cup of tea ready for me as I used to volunteer there,” she explained.

“I am still up on cloud nine that I was able to do it. Because it was for charity I walked in the rain, I walked in the snow, I walked in high winds.

“I am just over the moon; I feel elated, but I’m glad I have done it. I feel chuffed with myself.”

When she first set off Mrs Mullis could manage just 300m a day, with the help of her husband, which meant she would have taken until next year to complete her target distance. But as she grew stronger, the battle to complete the miles became easier – and just 119 days after she started, she made it to London.

The £2,500 mark was surpassed by a kind donor from Thailand, who is a former RAF man and had seen Mrs Mullis’s walk thanks to Mr Mullis’s links with the RAFA (Royal Air Forces Association) charity.

After finishing the walk Mrs Mullis added that she was hobbling a bit and surgeons have said she now needs a hip replacement, but she plans to continue walking every day as she has already seen her lung capacity improving hugely.

“I enjoyed it all, even though it was hurting, but it will be a long time before I put my name to anything this big again,” she laughed.

You can still donate by visiting – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julie-r-mullis