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Pride of Cumbria Against all Odds award finalists share inspiring stories of courage
The new Against All Odds category in Newsquest's Pride of Cumbria Awards 2025 honours individuals or groups who have overcome personal challenges with resilience, determination, and courage.
Their journey through illness, loss, or adversity inspires others, showcasing the strength of hope and perseverance.
The event will be held on Wednesday, June 18 at the Greenhill Hotel, Wigton, and will be hosted for the first time by StagedRight managing director David Stewart
Kerry Stewart (Image: Supplied) Kerry was diagnosed with breast cancer in Feb 2021, aged 30. She is a mother of Mabel and a wife to Jonathon.
Fit, healthy, full of life and one day found a lump in her breast. She was diagnosed and put onto a treatment plan instantly.
She braved the shave in July 2021 and started raising money, alongside Stronger Together cancer support group, to raise funds for The Henderson and Loweswater Suite at West Cumberland Hospital.
Laura Earl - The Hiking Household
Laura Earl (Image: Supplied)
Laura was diagnosed with a brain tumour in September 2023, she was fit and active - owning walking business The Hiking Household. She has four young kids and has dedicated her life to me, the children and her business.
Her nominator said: "She deserves this award as her whole life was dedicated to walking and being outside and this last year has been incredibly difficult for her.
"She has overcome all the odds and used her experience for good, making routes more accessible for others now she's disabled herself."
Sarah Foster
Sarah Foster (Image: Supplied) Sarah was first diagnosed with cancer around the age of 12. She has had multiple remissions but the cancer always returned. She has the most valiant spirit and determination to fight and she's fought hard.
She has raised a staggering amount for charity including CLIC Sargent and cancer research. Her nominator said: "For outstanding bravery and contribution to charity whilst being disabled and having terminal cancer herself."
Julieanne Mitchell
Julieanne Mitchell (Image: Supplied) Julieanne is HIV positive and is 47 and lives in Whitehaven, she works for Blue Sky Trust one day a week and also does additional volunteering for this service.
Her nominator said: "Julieanne herself was diagnosed with HIV over 20+ years ago, at a time when she was a young women, since then, she has worked so hard to build herself back up after such a diagnoses, but then she has also gone on and support others living with HIV across Cumbria"
