AS manager of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, Jackie Cuddy has organised and supported countless charity events.
However, in 10 months she will undertake a personal challenge when she power walks the 26-mile New York Marathon in a bid to raise £10,000 for The ARCHIE Foundation — an ambitious £1 million fund-raising appeal to develop a new children’s ward at Raigmore Hospital which was launched by the ARCHIE Foundation and backed by The Inverness Courier.
Ms Cuddy has been motivated to enter the gruelling race as she believes the fund-raising appeal is so important.
However, she also has personal reasons for taking part.
"I wanted to do something this year because it’s five years since I had breast cancer," said the 54-year-old. "Five years is very important as it’s when you come off all the medication and you don’t have to have so many check-ups.
"I wanted to do something to mark it and something outside the box.
"I think the ARCHIE foundation is so vital and the Eastgate Centre has given a lot of support for ARCHIE."
In October 2006, Ms Cuddy was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine company medical. She underwent three operations including a mastectomy.
"There are different types of breast cancer. Mine was caused by my own hormones’ oestrogen, so I took medication called Tamoxifen which attacks the bad cells that are making it," she said. "I was one of the lucky ones as I didn’t have to have chemotherapy or radiation. I get checked every year. I don’t know how my check-ups will change but it will be longer than a year."
Although there are still 10 months to go until the marathon on 4th November, Ms Cuddy — who will be completing the race with Norma Brown, who owns Bodycare and Hairworks in Castle Street, Inverness, and also Hilary Cartwright, sales director at MFR — has already started her training programme.
"We’re meeting this week and Norma has a seven-mile route to start around the canal," she said.
"We’ll start that one and then do the bra walk route.
"I also bought a running magazine to inspire me."
It’s not the first time Ms Cuddy has laced up her trainers for charity. She once completed a 26-mile walkathon around Birmingham and she also raised £1200 when she took part in the Bra Nicht Moonlight Walk in Inverness, an event which aims to raise the profile of breast cancer awareness and raise money to help people with cancer in the Highlands.
Inverness businessman David Sutherland was one of a six-strong team from Inverness which completed the New York Marathon to raise money for ARCHIE in November.
"I hope to meet up with some of the team that did it last year and get some tips," said Ms Cuddy.
