Moray woman with rare liver disease cycling the length of the UK for charity
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A MORAY woman who has a rare liver disease is set to cycle the length of the United Kingdom to raise funds and awareness for a charity that has supported her since her diagnosis.
Yvonne Marsay (54), from Grange near Keith, will cycle unsupported from Lands End to John O’ Groats - via Ullapool and Cape Wrath - in August in aid of the British Liver Trust.
Yvonne, a retired nurse who now works in a chemist in Portsoy, was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) five years ago. It affects her liver and in turn her muscles and strength.
In the aftermath of her diagnosis, Yvonne became more determined than ever to stay fit and took up cycling.
Despite having never cycled more than 70 miles in one go, she is determined to take on her mammoth charity challenge, which will see her pedal more than 1300 miles.
“I took up cycling when I got diagnosed as I decided to get fit and lose some weight,” Yvonne explained. “To do that I need a challenge as I’m not good at losing weight without a goal.
“I decided from there that if I’m doing it I should do it for a good cause - and the British Liver Trust is a great cause that doesn’t get a lot of publicity.
“The disease makes it harder with the recovery time, so it’s a definite challenge for me, but even if I only raise awareness for the British Liver Trust it will all be worth it. They have been so supportive of me.”
Liver disease kills more people every year than cancer, strokes, heart disease and diabetes - but Yvonne feels that it largely remains a subject that isn’t spoken about often enough.
“Liver disease isn't just linked to alcohol,” she said. “It's such a huge killer and nobody really talks about it. People die because of ignorance.
“It is the highest killer in the UK, and it is a silent killer, but there is a lot of stigma linked to it and linked to alcoholism.
“The British Liver Trust promotes better understanding for GPs and Doctors.”
Yvonne is taking on her challenge unsupported - without a team of helpers following her in a car - and is planning on spending three weeks travelling north, cycling around 70 miles per day. She will set out on August 17.
She has just over four months to prepare for the journey. She is being supported in her preparations by four friends, who she cycles with every Monday afternoon.
“I have never cycled more than 70 miles in a day - my friends that are training with me all laughed at me and so did my husband,” she joked.
“But they are all so supportive and encourage me on bad weather days. We call ourselves the Get Fit Buddies, some hadn’t been on a bike for years and are all getting fit too.”
Yvonne went part-time at work after her diagnosis and was forced to sideline hillwalking - which was one of her hobbies - due to the sapping nature of the exercise on her legs.
But she has an admirably positive outlook - considering herself one of the lucky ones as her GP spotted the disease early enough.
“I’ll be adjusting to medication for the rest of my life but as diseases go it isn’t the worst,” she said.
“It’s a slow-progressing, life-limiting illness, but I could have had MND or MS so I am lucky. The NHS have looked after me so well.”
To support Yvonne’s fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/page/yvonne-marsay-1710456923035
