Kenyan woman inspiration for Suzanne’s 75 km walking challenge

Suzanne Shepherd (73) was diagnosed with cancer in late June 2020. She received urgent surgery in August and again in November, spending a total of 31 nights in hospital.

Now she is celebrating her recovery with a week-long walking challenge on the roads around her Belmont Road home to raise funds for her favourite charity, Christian Aid Ireland.

Suzanne expressed her gratitude for the medical and nursing care she received, particularly at a time when NHS resources were focused on the coronavirus pandemic.

“I feel very lucky to have received my surgery because I know that many patients had their operations cancelled because of coronavirus. And although it was a shock to find out I had cancer, I’m so thankful that the operations have taken away the pain I’d suffered which had become quite unbearable.”

Suzanne is one of Christian Aid’s most dedicated supporters. Her fundraising over many years has raised many thousands of pounds and until lockdown last March, she was also volunteering weekly in the charity’s Belfast office.

Christian Aid Ireland chief executive Rosamond Bennett praised Suzanne’s stoicism and generosity.

“Suzanne is a truly exceptional lady, always cheerful, thankful and focused on the needs of others. Like so many of our most dedicated supporters, Suzanne shows great love and compassion for the suffering of others even when facing difficulties in her own life.”

Suzanne’s walk around the roads of east Belfast - one kilometre for each year since Christian Aid was founded 75 years ago - is her gesture of solidarity with the many women in developing countries who set off each day on long and often dangerous journeys on foot.

Suzanne’s challenge was inspired by Rose Jonathan (68) who lives in Dili village in the Kitui region of Kenya. During the dry season, Rose walks for seven hours a day to collect water for herself and her family - the six grandchildren she cares for alone since her husband died and her daughters moved to the city for work.

Suzanne explained why Rose’s story touched her particularly: “Rose and I are of a similar age and we have both been widowed.

“But where I am choosing to walk, and I’m grateful I’m well enough to take on this challenge, Rose has no option but to walk for miles every day in search of water.”

*To support Suzanne’s fundraising visit her Justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/suzanne75