Sharon organises 24-hour fundraising marathon for Tickled Pink
Our inspirational colleague Sharon Noble brought together colleagues and the local community groups she volunteers with for a 24-hour marathon fundraiser at our Fareham store in support of Tickled Pink.
Sharon's a tireless supporter of our breast cancer campaign – a cause close to her heart after she was diagnosed with breast cancer herself nine years ago.
She worked with the community champions from our nearby stores in Havant, Waterlooville, Portsmouth, Gosport and Totton to organise a 24-hour treadmill challenge – inviting colleagues, members of the Gosport Road Runners, her family and people from the local community to take turns.
Sharon said: “I love to do things like this because I’ve been given a second chance and I’m determined to make the most of that."
Sharon, pictured here on the right with fellow fundraisers Katy Trapani from our Havant store (left) and Rachel Webber from Asda Gosport, sprayed her hair pink for the day and organised a raffle and tombola, raising more than £1,000 for Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now during the event.
It’s just the latest in a long list of epic fundraising challenges Sharon has completed – having previously swum the Solent, starred in a fashion show, abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, cycled and taken part in a parachute jump for charity. She’s now in training for a cross-Channel relay swim planned for 2019.
Sharon said: “I’m fitter and healthier now than I was before I developed breast cancer. Once I had done the abseiling, parachute jumps and swimming across the Solent I wanted a different challenge – and keeping a treadmill moving for 24 hours was certainly that!
"My little boy Charlie was a year old when I was diagnosed and for two weeks they didn’t know where my cancer was, so I was thinking, ‘Will I get a chance to see you grow up?’ He’s 10 now and ran three miles on the treadmill with us. I’m making the most of my life."
Hayley Hamlett (above), who works for local community development charity One Community, was one of the people happy to repay Sharon’s tireless support for them by taking a turn on the treadmill.
She said: "I think what Sharon does is phenomenal. She’s a fantastic person and is great not just for Asda but the community as a whole. She’s a natural people person, but she’s also a problem solver who goes out of her way to make people’s lives better.
“Even though it’s a big shop you see regular customers in Asda going several times a week, and the banter and spirit among people like Sharon is a big reason for that. The number of people waving at the girls on the treadmill because they knew them was amazing to see."
Mayor of Fareham Geoff Fazackarley has worked with Sharon at a number of community events over the years – he’s pictured above with Sharon and Hayley at One Community’s Farehem opening.
He said: "She does a lot of good and valuable work and I think she goes above her remit as community champion. Sharon doesn’t just turn up – she’s very hands-on and gets everyone involved. She’s a treasure really."
Sharon said she was really grateful for everyone’s support at the event.
She said: “I tend to get a lot of support because I’ve been through breast cancer myself and so people who know me will come and help – but that's something I never take for grant.
“There were lots of people coming and watching, giving generously and telling us their stories, which was a reminder that there are so many people who’ve been affected by breast cancer.
"It was really nice to hear people’s stories and to be able to say ‘I know where you’re coming from because I’ve been there myself’."