AMAZING Redditch mum Ali Duggan did 100 sit-ups a day during February – just weeks after a breast cancer operation.
The fund-raising Southcrest resident completed 2,800 in total in a bid to bring in £2,800 for the homeless charity Shelter.
She was so determined that even when she had an adverse reaction to her medicine, affecting her balance and leaving her in a wheelchair, she still managed to do her daily regime of 100 sit ups a day.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November, even though I didn’t have a lump. I was my first ever mammogram,” said the 50-year-old married mum of one.
“I had surgery in January at the Alex and it healed really well so two-and-a-half weeks later I asked the surgeon about doing the Shelter Sit-Up Challenge.
“I knew it was a bit mad, but I’m a mental health first-aider and I knew about ‘resilience during adversity’ and he gave me the go-ahead.
“I’d done sit-ups before. But what started out for me as something about cancer turned turned into something rather different.
“And I know this might sound barking mad, but if I could get £1 for every sit-up I did it would be wonderful.”
So far Ali’s closing in on her target, having raised £2,300 which with gift aid takes her total to about £2,500.
“I’ve always supported Shelter,” added Ali, who works at the University of Birmingham.
“The challenge was a focus for me after my operation but it was also an opportunity to give something back to do not have the same structure and support network I’ve got.
“People have said how strong I was and how well I’ve done, but I was surrounded by support.
“When I had my adverse reaction to my meds my son was there to look after me.
“But for those who are homeless or sofa surfers – and the latest figures are really, really shocking – they have none of that.”
To help Ali reach her £2,800 target visit http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ali-Duggan
