A courageous mum-of-two living with incurable cancer has inspired an extraordinary 200-mile charity challenge—culminating in an emotional final mile she walked alongside the colleagues she motivated every step of the way.

Around 70 staff from the Everbright Group’s hotels took part in the remarkable 10-day relay trek from North Wales to Penrith, raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Now. Along the route, the team were met with heartfelt support from members of the public, many of whom stopped to donate and share deeply personal stories of their own experiences with cancer.

At the centre of it all was Fiona Sellars—known affectionately as Fi—a much-loved marketing and support manager whose strength and determination have left a lasting mark on everyone around her. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, Fiona has undergone more than 50 rounds of treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery. Despite her incurable diagnosis, her resilience became the driving force behind the ambitious fundraising effort, which also marks the hotel group’s 10th anniversary.

The challenge began at the Belmont Hotel in Llandudno, with teams of walkers covering the distance in relay stages. The route connected Everbright’s sister hotels, including stops in Llandudno Bay, Llangollen, Wrexham and Kendal, before reaching the George Hotel in Penrith. At every stop, colleagues turned out in force to offer encouragement and support.

Fiona was there at the very start, walking part of the first leg to send the team on their way. Then, in a powerful and emotional moment, she returned to walk the final mile into Penrith, joined by her daughters Molly, 27, and Lola, 20, as well as dozens of colleagues.

Overwhelmed by the experience, Fiona said: “They have all been so amazing—it’s all been very emotional. I just can’t take it all in, it’s all a bit unreal. It is a group achievement and the whole thing has just been ‘wow’. And it is great to see the money coming in, it is so humbling. I am so proud of Molly and Lola for taking part.”

She paid special tribute to colleagues Adrian Barsby, who walked the entire 200-mile route, and Becky Shields, who completed the distance by bike in just two days.

“Adrian is honestly amazing,” she said. “He kept jolly all along the way and has done something so special. And for Becky to do the whole thing on a bike is incredible—it’s a remarkable achievement.”

Adrian, 66, described the journey as “absolutely humbling,” particularly the moments spent meeting members of the public who shared their own cancer stories.

“During the last leg, Fiona and several others joined us for the final mile, raising the number of walkers to 25,” he said. “The support from throughout the hotel group has been wonderful.”

Becky, general manager at The Wild Pheasant, faced her own gruelling challenge—cycling the full route in just two days. Battling through a thunderstorm, steep climbs and freezing conditions, she pushed on to reach the finish line in Penrith at the same time as the walkers.

“There was a hill where the thunder started, and it was one of the biggest hills I had ever seen,” she recalled. “When you’re trying to get up it and you can hear thunder cracking above you, it’s horrendous. I was frozen and shivering—but we kept going.

“As I got over the finish line, I was just thinking about Fiona—it is all for Fiona.”

Support for the challenge extended far beyond those walking and cycling, with colleagues across the group organising fundraising events to boost donations. The JustGiving campaign has already made significant progress towards its £10,000 target.

Operations director Darryl Shaw, who took part in six days of the challenge, said the experience had been deeply moving.

“It has been very humbling to meet so many people who have told us about their own cancer battles,” he said. “Everyone who played a part in this can be hugely proud.”

Managing director Lei Ma, who also joined several stages alongside family and friends, added: “To take part in this was absolutely amazing. I am so proud of the team.”

What began as a tribute to one woman’s courage has become something far greater—a powerful show of unity, compassion and determination, with Fiona at its heart every step of the way.