Elaine Brittan
Skin Tumour Fund

Elaine Brittan's daughter Laura was diagnosed with cutaneous (or skin) lymphoma when she was just 19. Skin lymphoma is quite a rare, incurable form of cancer with symptoms that include skin tumours.

Elaine decided to help Laura by fundraising for skin lymphoma research. In partnership with King's College London, Guy's and St Thomas' is running clinical trials in cutaneous lymphoma, with some - the HDAC inhibitors - among the first trials of their kind in the UK.

Elaine undertakes trekking challenges to contribute to the Skin Tumour Fund managed by the Charity.

She has so far summitted six active volcanoes around the world:

• Mount Etna, Sicily (where it was simultaneously snowing and erupting)
• Mount Stromboli, Sicily in the dark and rain to the edge of the crater)
• Mt Arenal, Costa Rica
• El Rincon, Costa Rica, (forced back just short of the crater’s edge by heavy rain and howling winds)
• El Pacaya, Guatemala, (spontaneous combustion of branches; molten lava underfoot and melted boots if you stood still long enough)
• Mount Masaya, Nicaragua, (emits 500 to 3000 tons of gas per day)

Elaine also spent 15 days trekking in the Himalayas; 7 days on the Annapurna range and 8 in the Everest region. She said: "It was challenging, as we walked through the snow and rain with freezing cold nights. We also met with real hospitality and friendliness, carpets of flowers, and the sights and sounds of Buddhism."

On the home front Elaine has also joined a yoga group which donates proceeds to the Fund.

As a long-term supporter Elaine is committed to raising more money for the Fund, and her heroic efforts have so far raised nearly £3,000 for the Fund: "I will continue as long as I can physically do it", she said.

To make a donation or find out how your legacy could help, please use the secure donation form, or contact the Fundraising Team on Tel: 020 7188 1204, e-mail: Fundraising Team.

Elaine braving an erupting Etna in the snow