A MUM diagnosed with terminal cancer has been tirelessly fundraising to make a difference in Leigh. Back in 2013, Jen Wilson was devastated to learn that she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, and admitted that the hardest thing was to break the news to her daughter who was about to go to University. However, defying the doctor's assessment that gave her two years to live, Jen is still going strong 11 years later and is determined to not let her illness define her.
Jen has been selling off her artwork at various stalls and fayres (Image: Jen Wilson) Although Jen admitted that her ongoing treatment still causes her a lot of pain, the things that help the 55-year-old manage this are the creative and charitable outlets in her life. With the former special needs assistant admitting she can "get lost" in drawing, she has created countless artworks to help a cause close to her heart. Selling personalised and animal-themed arts and crafts at various stalls and fayres, Jen has been raising money for 'Andrea's Legacy', a charity set up in honour of well-known Leyther Andrea Jefferies, who died from breast cancer in December 2021.
With the charity helping to neuter and rehome rescue animals, Jen's work as 'The Charity Artist' has raised almost £5,000 for the local charity. An example of Jen's animal-themed artwork (Image: Jen Wilson) "It's one of the things that keeps me going and helps me get up in the morning", Jen said. "Andrea was an amazing person who was a lifelon.