A SELBY cancer sufferer has completed a five-day sponsored walk only days after starting chemotherapy treatment for the second time in two years.

Jean Gratton, of Burn, and her merry band of family and friends hobbled into Filey after covering more than 50 miles on the coastal path from Saltburn.

They were greeted in Filey by actress Jean Alexander (Coronation Street’s Hilda Ogden), who is honorary Mayoress of Burn and had travelled from her home in Southport to be at the finishing line. She also joined them in a Filey pub for a victory pint.

With cash from previous fundraising events, Jean Gratton hopes the walk will have raised almost £3,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Jean was treated for ovarian cancer two years ago and was given the all-clear months later.

She was so impressed with the work of doctors and nurses at St James’s Hospital, Leeds, she immediately started raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

But a few weeks ago she was told the cancer had returned and began a new treatment of chemotherapy days before the trek. She and her relatives and friends went ahead with the walk despite her condition.

“Because of the chemotherapy I was exhausted, but I made it, even though we had to take a rest day in the middle,” said Jean, aged 61.

“The people we met en route were so generous. We rattled tins and buckets and people were putting in fivers and tenners, especially as we went through Whitby.”

Jean Alexander, who gave a generous sponsorship for the walk, said: “I am proud of Jean Gratton for her determination and guts.

“It was great to see them come over the hill on the final leg.

“They have all done a magnificent job, especially with the weather these past few days.

“Congratulations on a very worthwhile achievement under difficult conditions.”