News Features

21/02/10

When you sit with Heleneia Brierley pain crosses her face at very regular intervals like a lightening bolt.
Agony does not visit this 69 year old with any tact. It comes to call in frequent waves and is wrapped in a fist of iron that has her eyes screaming and her body quivering.
Yet this Oxford raised woman of steel does not give in. She keeps moving, keeps talking although you can see she is constant torture.
And Heleneia Brierley, in remission from serious bowel cancer has much to chat about.
For instance, there is her friendship with Peter Pollard of Warlingham, an 80 year old former banker who has climbed many a mountain in her spare time. He met Heleneia who lives in Essex at a party and a bond was born as Peter was inspired by the little, frail looking woman's courage and found inspiration pouring from her.
For instance there is Heleneia's health. She has a restricted bowel, an irreversible colostomy, several hernias -and she has had a heart attack.
She dismisses the constant torture and her condition as if it all were as trivial as the weather.
This remarkable lady, who spent much of her working life as a private secretary in London, would rather give chapter and verse on the various incredible challenges she has overcome to raise money for charity, many of them with Peter, her friend and trainer, by her side.
Since walking 200 miles around Essex in 2002 Heleneia has climbed Scafell Pike, Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece.
And, of yes, she has also swum across a tidal Essex river and completed the Weavers Way, a long distance walk from Cromer to Great Yarmouth.
None of these however, will compare with what Heleneia, accompanied every step of the way by Peter, is about to tackle.
She is walking this year's London Marathon - April 25- and she reckons it will take between eight and 10 days to complete the course.
"I plan to walk four to five miles a day" said Heleneia who is more often than not to be found at Peter's Warlingham home. " There will be pain with every step and it is the biggest event of my life but I am determined I shall finish the course."
Not only is Heleneia taking part in the London Marathon to bring in cash for the Bowel Cancer UK charity, she is also determined to inspire other people in similar circumstances.
" I was told several years ago that I had just months to live " she said. " I didn't like that idea. I want people to fight back and realise their time is not up."
Heleneia will be at the Warlingham Church Hall on Friday, March 12 at 7pm give a presentation to local children centred on Pooh Bear and her creation, the Marathon Witch and there will be an art competition for the youngsters who are being asked to bring an exhibit on the theme of the Marathon and/or Pooh Bear.
There is no entrance fee for the evening but donations to the bowel cancer charity would be welcomed.
If you want to sponsor this inspirational woman check out www.justgiving.com/heleneia or ring Peter Pollard on 01883 622502.
Words/photo kevin black