When Becky McArthur discovered a lump in her breast just three days before her 30th birthday, she never imagined it would spark a fundraising movement that would bring four friends together and raise thousands of pounds for local cancer care.
Becky, along with her husband Stu, and friends Adam and Leah Speers, have raised an incredible £8,000 for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity through two golf day events—with plans already underway for another in 2026.
What connects them? Cancer has touched each of their lives in profound ways.
Becky’s diagnosis in October 2020 led to surgery and radiotherapy treatment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Her husband Stu’s mum was also treated for cancer. Adam’s grandmother received care at Clatterbridge, as did Leah’s granddad.
When the four friends sat down to chat, they discovered they all shared the same desire: to give something back to the place that had cared for their loved ones.
“We all have an experience of Clatterbridge in some way, and this is our way of saying thank you,” Becky explained.
Their first golf day at the Antrobus Club in Northwich, Cheshire, in 2024 raised an impressive £2,500. Buoyed by that success, they organised a second event earlier this year, collecting £5,500 through a raffle and silent auction.
Becky’s cancer journey began during one of the most challenging periods in recent history—the COVID-19 lockdown. The 35-year-old from Appleton Thorn, who works in advertising in Manchester, had to attend many appointments alone, making an already difficult situation even harder.
“It almost feels like a lifetime ago,” Becky reflected. “I was diagnosed, had a lumpectomy to remove the tumour and lymph nodes, and completed my radiotherapy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral all within the space of four months.
“I was lucky, particularly as we were in lockdown. The team at Clatterbridge were so supportive and remain so to this day.”
Despite having no family history of cancer, Becky found comfort in talking with her mother-in-law, who had also been treated at Clatterbridge for breast cancer.
“It was such a shock to be diagnosed but it was good to have her support and someone to talk to,” Becky said. “Covid was a difficult time and to be going through cancer treatment at the time was hard, but I think myself lucky that I was diagnosed and treated so quickly.”
Before beginning her cancer treatment, Becky underwent a procedure to have her eggs harvested and frozen, as she and Stu were keen to start a family. In a moment of pure joy, the couple welcomed baby Matilda just after Christmas 2023.
Tanya Simpson, Community Fundraiser for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, expressed her gratitude for the group’s dedication:
“I would like to thank Becky, Stu, Adam and Leah for their wonderful commitment to fundraising for local people with cancer. It is thanks to them that we can help the one in two people affected by cancer in our region.”
Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is the only charity dedicated to helping patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre from Cheshire and Merseyside. Funds raised support pioneering treatments, vital research, and the small comforts that make a big difference during cancer treatment.
