Latest news with #Sarra
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Like father, like daughter
FOR most families, bonding over dinner conversations is a cherished routine. But for Captain Feroz Francis Abdullah and First Officer Nur Sarra Feroz Francis, bonding happens 30,000ft in the air. In lieu of the upcoming Father's Day on 15 June, theSun spoke to the father-daughter flying duo from AirAsia to explore what it means to share not just a home, but a profession and a flight deck. It is not every day one finds a family legacy quite literally taking flight. While aviation has long been regarded as a demanding and disciplined career, it is also one steeped in passion, dedication and precision. For Feroz, who has logged over three decades of flight experience, aviation was never just a job, it was a calling. That same calling, passed down quietly but powerfully, now lives on in his daughter Sarra, who is forging her own path as a First Officer. From runway to role model Feroz's journey into aviation began with childhood curiosity. 'I have always been fascinated by aviation. Watching planes take off and land sparked something in me. That fascination evolved into determination. I worked hard, starting from the basics and gradually building my experience, always motivated by the dream of commanding a commercial aircraft,' he said. With decades of flying under his belt and roles as an Instructor and Examiner on the Airbus A320, Feroz's career has been a masterclass in discipline and perseverance. His proudest achievement, however, does not involve awards or title but it is seeing his daughter Sarra soar through the same skies he has flown for years. 'One of my proudest moments was seeing my daughter Sarra, become a pilot and eventually fly for AirAsia. Watching her achieve her dreams and knowing I played a part in that journey is incredibly rewarding,' he said. Seeds of inspiration Sarra's love for aviation was planted early. 'My journey began with my dad, he is a pilot and my biggest inspiration. Growing up around aviation sparked my interest since childhood. I used to spend time plane watching, playing flight simulators with my dad, and playing with airplane models at home. I knew from a young age this was the career path I wanted,' she shared. Yet, Sarra was quick to add that her father never pressured her. 'He never once pushed me into aviation. His quiet encouragement and the way he carried himself as a pilot made me want to follow in his footsteps.' She joined AirAsia as a cadet pilot in 2018 and is now two years into her role as a First Officer. 'It is been an incredibly rewarding journey. I am thankful for the training and the opportunities that have shaped me into the pilot I am today.' Lessons from the flight deck For Feroz, supporting Sarra's journey meant sharing hard-earned lessons from a lifetime in the cockpit. 'I emphasised discipline, humility, continuous learning and above all, the importance of safety. I also reminded her to stay resilient. There will be obstacles but perseverance pays off,' he said. Sarra remembers those lessons vividly. 'One of the most valuable things my dad taught me was to ride the wave and grab opportunities as they come. He always reminded me that this industry can be unpredictable. Timing and attitude matter just as much as having the skills.' That perspective proved vital during her training, which she described as 'taxing and immensely rewarding'. 'There were high-pressure simulator sessions, fast-paced learning and constant assessments. But each hurdle made me stronger.' Among the many milestones, her first flight remains the most unforgettable. 'It felt like yesterday. Lining up on the runway for the first time, my heart pounding. The moment we got airborne, it hit me that I was finally living the dream I worked so hard for.' Feroz's addicting passion for flying is inspiration for daughter Sarra. When dreams take off together The moment Sarra donned her pilot's uniform for the first time was a defining one for Feroz. 'It was a moment I will always cherish. Seeing her ready to take on the skies was a proud 'dad moment'. It felt like a dream come true,' he dream became even more real when the two finally flew together as colleagues. 'Flying alongside my dad is phenomenal and truly special. It is not just a professional milestone but a deeply personal one. Everything feels like it is come full circle,' Sarra explained. Their conversations now go beyond father-daughter exchanges to include aircraft performance, flying techniques and crew resource management. Sarra said: 'We definitely bond over technical talk, but the most special part is the learning that goes both ways. He shares his experience, and I bring fresh perspectives. It is (the) mutual respect that deepens our relationship.' Even in the cockpit, Sarra often finds herself channelling her father's influence. 'I ask myself, 'What would dad do?' especially in high-pressure situations. His calm, steady approach has shaped the way I handle challenges.' A father's legacy, a daughter's tribute For Feroz and Sarra, aviation is a shared language, a way of life and a bond that transcends generations. 'As a father, watching your child thrive in something you love is deeply fulfilling. Calling her my colleague and seeing her wear the same uniform is the ultimate reward,' Feroz reflected. For Father's Day, Sarra has a message for the man who helped her take flight literally and figuratively. 'Dad, thank you for always being my biggest supporter and the quiet strength behind my journey. You always believed in me, even on the days when I struggled to believe in myself and that truly made all the difference. It is a great honour to be walking in your footsteps and living out this legacy that we share together. I am so proud to call you my father, my role model and now, my fellow colleague. This one is for you Dad! Happy Father's Day.'
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Sir Chris Hoy's cancer diagnosis has helped to save over 1,000 lives
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy has been credited with saving over 1,000 lives following his courageous decision to go public with his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis last October. The six-time Olympic champion, aged 49, stunned fans worldwide when he disclosed his battle with stage 4 prostate cancer. His announcement came shortly after his wife, Sarra, aged 45, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Following his diagnosis, Hoy, collaborated with Prostate Cancer UK to launch an online 30-second 'risk checker' questionnaire. Since its inception, a staggering 180,000 men have utilised the service, leading to more than 1,000 individuals being diagnosed with prostate cancer through PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing. "So that campaign has saved lives," Sir Chris acknowledged. "In all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. In difficult moments, you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform." The Edinburgh-born icon has been inundated with messages from men who sought testing after hearing about his ordeal. "My Instagram message feed is stacked with people who had no symptoms," he shared with the Sunday Times. "They had no reason to get a other than they'd seen my news. And they did it off the back of that, and found out they do have prostate cancer. They've caught it early. They're going to get treatment, and it's hopefully going to be OK. That gives me a huge lift." He expressed that his terminal diagnosis has instilled in him "a different level of appreciation of life." While some specialists argue that PSA tests can result in too many false positives and negatives, Hoy, a father of two young children, Callum, aged nine, and Chloe, aged seven, conceded: "It isn't 100 percent accurate. "However, it's the best we've got, and prostate is the most common cancer in England in men. So I believe we need to be more proactive in how we screen. Look at my situation." Despite having a family history of the disease, the Scot noted he had "no symptoms, no warnings, so I would not have got a PSA test if I'd just gone to a regular GP. They'd have said, 'Come back when you're 50'. "But by that point it would have been far too late." He also disclosed that when he is approached for a selfie, his children often ask: "Is it because of cancer?". He remarks: "It's not something that really scares them, they don't talk about it much, it's just there." His partner Sarra remains 'stoic and strong', with the children still oblivious to her diagnosis. Advanced prostate cancer occurs when the cancer cells spread from the prostate - a gland about the size of a walnut located just below the bladder - to other parts of the body. At this advanced stage, it is currently incurable, but can be managed. If the cancer has metastasised to the bone, the most common symptom is bone pain - a dull ache or sharp stabbing sensation that can disrupt sleep. In Sir Chris's case, the first symptom was shoulder pain. His chemotherapy treatment was painful as he opted to wear a cap to prevent hair loss for the sake of his young children. Early-stage prostate cancer often presents no symptoms. However, early indicators may include an increased need to urinate, particularly during the night. Most cases of prostate cancer are detected early through screening. In the UK, men at average risk typically undergo their first screening test at 55. The public's interest in 'Sir Chris Hoy' surged after he disclosed his diagnosis, with charities and fellow athletes commending his bravery. Those at high risk may be tested as early as 45 or even younger. Hoy's 'Tour de 4' is scheduled for Sept 7, a charity bike ride involving 5,000 cyclists, many of whom are living with stage 4 cancer. The event aims to raise £1m and will start and finish at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. To participate, visit
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Sir Chris Hoy going public with cancer battle has saved over 1,000 lives
Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy went public with his diagnosis in October last year. Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy has helped to save over 1,000 lives after he bravely went public with his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis last October. The six-time gold medallist, 49, shocked the world when he revealed he had stage 4 prostate cancer. It came just days after his wife, Sarra, 45, discovered that she had multiple sclerosis, a condition where the body attacks its own immune system, reports the Mirror. Hoy, 49, then teamed up with the charity Prostate Cancer UK to provide an online 30-second questionnaire. Since then, an impressive 180,000 men have used the 'risk checker' and more than 1,000 had a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test which revealed they had prostate cancer. "So that campaign has saved lives," said Sir Chris. "In all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. In difficult moments, you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform." The Edinburgh -born legend said he's been flooded with messages from men who got tested after seeing his story. "My Instagram message feed is stacked with people who had no symptoms," he told the Sunday Times. "They had no reason to get a other than they'd seen my news. And they did it off the back of that, and found out they do have prostate cancer. They've caught it early. They're going to get treatment, and it's hopefully going to be OK. That gives me a huge lift." His terminal diagnosis has given him "a different level of appreciation of life." Some experts believe that PSA tests provide too many false positives and negatives. Hoy, who has two young kids, Callum, nine and Chloe, seven, admitted: "It isn't 100 percent accurate. "But it's the best we've got, and prostate is the most common cancer in England in men. So I believe we need to be more proactive in how we screen. Look at my situation." The Scot had a family history of the illness but he had "no symptoms, no warnings, so I would not have got a PSA test if I'd just gone to a regular GP. They'd have said, 'Come back when you're 50'. "But by that point it would have been far too late." He recently revealed when people ask him for a selfie, his children ask: "Is it because of cancer?". He says: "It's not something that really scares them, they don't talk about it much, it's just there." Sarra is 'stoic and strong'. The children are still unaware of her diagnosis. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Advanced prostate cancer is when the cancer cells spread from the prostate - a gland which is the size of a walnut and sits just beneath the bladder - to other areas of the body. It is currently not curable at the advanced stage, but it can be controlled. If cancer has spread to the bone, the most common symptoms is bone pain - a dull ache or stabbing pain, and can wake you up at night. With Sir Chris, the first symptom was pain in his shoulder. His chemo was painful because he chose to wear a cap to avoid hair loss for the sake of his young children. Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms. But early signs include a need to urinate more often, especially at night. Most prostate cancers are found early through screening. Men at average risk are likely to have their first screening test at 55 in the UK. Many men searched ' Sir Chris Hoy ' after he went public with his diagnosis, and charities and fellow athletes praised the courage of that decision. Those at high risk may take the test at 45 or even younger. Hoy's 'Tour de 4' takes place on Sept 7, a charity bike ride for 5,000 cyclists, many living with stage 4 cancer. It aims to raise £1m, and starts and finishes at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. To sign up go to
The National
3 days ago
- Health
- The National
Raising awareness of prostate cancer gives me purpose, says Chris Hoy
One of Scotland's most decorated athletes, Hoy announced his diagnosis last year, shocking the sporting world. But far from slowing down, the 11-time world champion track cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist has turned his hand to campaigning, urging more men to be aware of the dangers of the disease. The inbox on his Instagram account, he told the Sunday Times, is 'stacked' with men saying news of his diagnosis had spurred them to get tested and they had managed to catch it early. READ MORE: Orkney prepares to welcome athletes for the ultimate island showdown 'That gives me a huge lift,' he told the newspaper. He works alongside Prostate Cancer UK, which provides an online risk-checking tool that has been used by more than 180,000 men. 'That campaign has saved lives,' he said. 'And you know, in all the chaos and all the fear and all the horror of first being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, you can never imagine any positive outcome coming from that situation. 'So to know that there is one has given me a purpose. 'In difficult moments you remind yourself, actually there is a net positive from this whole situation. And I'm lucky because I have a platform.' Since his own diagnosis, it was announced his wife Sarra had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Asked about his wife's illness, Hoy says she 'doesn't talk about it a massive amount'. 'I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table,' he said. 'It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. 'When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' 'It's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Chris Hoy's selfless wife kept heartbreaking secret and their kids still don't know
Chris Hoy's selfless wife kept heartbreaking secret and their kids still don't know The Team GB legend announced last year that his condition was terminal with doctors giving him two to four years left to live Sarra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after her husband received his cancer diagnosis Sir Chris Hoy has opened up on living with terminal cancer and revealed how he and his wife are approaching family life amid their respective health battles. The six-time Olympic champion cyclist was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 and announced last year that his condition was terminal, after a scan found primary cancer in his prostate which had spread to his bones, including his shoulder, pevils, ribs and spine. Tragically, Hoy was given between two and four years left to live by doctors. In a cruel twist, his wife Sarra was then diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS), having had a scan just a week after her husband's cancer diagnosis. The couple have two young children - Callum, 10, and Chloe, seven - and Hoy has spoken previously about how his first thought when Sarra got her diagnosis was how they were going to break the news to them, describing it as an "absolute horror" and "a waking nightmare". However, while the 49-year-old feared the impact that making his diagnosis public would have on his children, he now says that his illness is "not something that really scares them" and his family are currently "in a nice spot". "Touch wood, it doesn't feel as though they've been massively affected by it," he told The Times as he provided an update on his health. "They've always been a bit frustrated with people coming up, wanting a photograph of Daddy. Now they're like, 'Oh, is it because of the cancer?' "I think they understand that cancer is part of our lives. It's not something that really scares them, they don't really talk about it much, it's just there.' While Callum and Chloe know about their father's illness, however, Hoy also revealed he and Sarra have not told them about her MS diagnosis, adding that she "doesn't want the focus". Indeed, Sarra initially kept her illness from her husband as he dealt with his cancer diagnosis. The neurological condition, which affects the brain and spinal cord, is incurable but treatment can make it manageable. 'She doesn't talk about it a massive amount," he said when asked how Sarra's condition had affected daily life. "I think she's just determined to try and not allow it to get its feet under the table. It fluctuates, so she gets good days and bad days. "When the days are difficult, she doesn't ever admit to it, but clearly the thoughts are, 'Is this the start of a decline? Is this how it's going to be from now on?' It's just, it's very difficult, and she's so stoic and strong, and not willing to ask for sympathy.' On not telling their children, Hoy added: 'They know that she's got sore hands sometimes, and I think that's about the extent of it. "If it wasn't for my diagnosis, I think it would be getting a lot more attention, but she likes it that way. She doesn't want the focus, she just wants to crack on.' The Team GB icon has previously paid tribute to his wife as "the epitome of selflessness", having supported him in the wake of his diagnosis despite also dealing with her own heartbreaking health battle. He recalled in his autobiography that she went for a routine MRI just seven days after his cancer diagnosis for doctors to investigate a tingling sensation in her face and tongue and did not mention anything more of it for over a month. 'Then one evening in December, after our kids Callum and Chloe had gone to bed, Sarra looked serious and said she had something to tell me," he wrote. "I realised immediately it was something big as Sarra, always so strong in every situation, was beginning to crumble and struggling to get the words out. 'Do you remember that scan I went for?' she started through tear-filled eyes. 'Well, they think it might be multiple sclerosis'. I immediately broke down, distraught both by the news and the fact she'd received it without me there. 'She went on to explain they had called her and told her over a month before. It was so hard to try to compute that she had absorbed the awfulness of this diagnosis alone, without sharing it with me, in order to protect me. I tried to let the words sink in as my mind was spinning, trying to understand what had been happening to her, all while she had been accompanying me to every one of my own hospital appointments." Article continues below He added: "She is the epitome of selflessness, putting the kids and me before herself and always doing it through love not obligation. The future is a great unknown for us both now." Reflecting on how he felt after being told his cancer was terminal, Hoy added: "Initially you feel you're never going to tell your kids off again. You want them to only remember you as the perfect father who always says yes if they want an ice cream, or yes if they get on the iPad, or whatever. And you realise that that phase is very short. "It feels like the family routine is as it was before, which I think is remarkable, really. That will definitely change, obviously, but I think for now we're just getting on with life, and it just feels like we're in a nice spot.'
