Sussex PCSO sets out to raise awareness of breast cancer checks for young people

A PCSO with Sussex Police is raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer by trekking in the Sahara Desert with CoppaFeel!.
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Jessica Taylor, 24, is a Police Community Support Officer in Chichester and she particularly wants to target the younger generation, to educate them about checks they can make to ensure any signs of breast cancer are spotted early.

She hopes to raise at least £2,750 for CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer awareness charity that focuses on promoting early detection of breast cancer.

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Jessica said: “I myself have not lived with breast cancer but at the age of eight I lost my great aunt to breast cancer and this has always stuck with me.

Trek training ahead of the charity challenge for CoppaFeel!Trek training ahead of the charity challenge for CoppaFeel!
Trek training ahead of the charity challenge for CoppaFeel!

“She was such a character, always making us laugh whilst embarrassing us with inappropriate comments whilst out in public. When she passed away, she was in a hospice being taking care of by the nurses, who did everything they could to make her comfortable.

“After this I have always been conscious of my health and really understand the importance of getting the message across to people about how breast cancer can affect anyone, at any age.

“Trekking the Sahara Desert will be the biggest challenge of my life. It is going to be difficult and will push me to my limits, emotionally and physically, but there is no charity I would be more willing to do this for.”

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Jessica, who has grown up in Worthing, will be trekking for up to eight hours a day, covering 100km in total in the Morrocan Sahara Desert over five days, between November 21 and 28.

Jessica Taylor, a PCSO in Chichester, is preparing for a five-day trek in the Sahara DesertJessica Taylor, a PCSO in Chichester, is preparing for a five-day trek in the Sahara Desert
Jessica Taylor, a PCSO in Chichester, is preparing for a five-day trek in the Sahara Desert

She is expecting high day temperatures and low night temperatures, and to make sure she is in the best position to finish the walk, she is following a strict training plan to prepare her body.

The 16-week plan started with smaller walks three times a week, building up to walking six hours a day twice a week.

Jessica has already raised more than £1,650. Visit comeflywithgicoppafeel.everydayhero.com/uk/sarah-desert-trek-2020-in-aid-of-coppafeel to make a donation.

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Emma Carroll, events fundraising manager, said: “CoppaFeel!’s mission is to make sure all breast cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage possible, making treatments more effective and survival rates higher.

“Funds raised will help us to continue to educate young people about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, teaching them that knowing their boobs could save their life.”

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