A WOMAN is preparing for a 'life-changing' trek to help raise awareness for breast cancer in young people.
Lucy Cope, 25, will embark on a 100km trek across Brecon Beacons, raising money for charity CoppaFeel on June 8.
The team of 120 will trek across Welsh National Park over five days, for up to nine hours a day through wild and rugged terrain.
After an "up and down" year, Lucy decided she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and do something for herself in 2024.
She signed up for the exclusive event during "a moment of madness" over Christmas and successfully navigated her way through the vigorous questioning process.
CoppaFeel is a charity close to Lucy's heart as she has seen friends and family "go through treatment and come out the other side".
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women under 40 and will affect one in seven women in their lifetime, and around 400 men a year, according to the charity.
CoppaFeel is on a mission to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed as early as possible by educating, encouraging and empowering young people to be breast aware.
Raising awareness for breast cancer in young people was the selling point for Lucy.
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This is the first trek of its kind that Lucy has attempted and she has been "walking everywhere" to prepare for it.
“I have been dragging my other half for a walk and not exactly telling him how long it will be but promising him a lunch at the pub when he comes with me," she said.
Lucy, who frequently returns to Salisbury to visit her parents, launched a raffle with prizes donated from local business in a bid to fundraise for the charity while her boyfriend Dale Brocklehurst has hosted quizzes in pubs he works in across London.
Feeling "overwhelmed by the generosity of people", Miss Cope said: "They really didn’t have to do all of this. It has hit home, everyone's clubbed together."
Actress Giovanna Fletcher is heading up the trek, she said: “Leading the CoppaFeel treks every year is genuinely a highlight for me.
"It is a huge challenge, but one that I am so proud to conquer alongside such an incredible and inspiring group of people."
CEO at CoppaFeel, Natalie Haskell, said: “We are so excited to see Giovanna and the team take on another gruelling trek for CoppaFeel the Brecon Beacons.
"What the trek team does, not only raises vital funds, but also starts the conversations that save lives. By talking about breast cancer, noticing changes in your body and how to check your chest regularly, we are able to help people put their health first and initiate potentially life-saving early intervention.
"We can’t wait to see everyone cross the finish line.”
So far, Lucy has raised more than £1.5k towards her £2,250 target. For more information visit justgiving.com/page/lucy-cope-1704826227207.
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