First ever 'Mayor's Medal' awarded to amazing Burnley mum who has raised thousands of pounds for charity while battling cancer

In May Lindsay Sharples raised £7,000 for the NHS when she completed a sponsored 10km walk, despite the fact she was struggling with the disease and had been left numb on one side of her body following an epileptic attack.

But determined Lindsay continued her fundraising efforts and recently completed a one-mile swim which raised a further £11,300 and counting for Pendleside Hospice. She also worked with staff at the Craven Heifer pub in Harle Syke to raise a further £2,700 for the Rosemere Centre.

Her magnificent fundraising efforts, in the face of such extreme challenges, caught the eye of the Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Wajid Khan, who decided Lindsay was justly deserving of becoming the first person to receive a Mayor's Medal. The civic head launched the scheme shortly after he became Mayor to recognise the hard work and achievements of local people over his year in office.

The Mayor said: "It was an honour to award my first Mayor's Medal to Lindsay. She has inspired us all with the heroic fundraising efforts. Despite her pain, she has raised thousands of pounds thanks to her determination and spirit.

"I was humbled to be able to speak to Lindsay and her husband Gareth online and pass on my gratitude and admiration.

"I also extended gratitude on behalf of the borough for her inspirational work. She is great fighter and was determined to do more fundraising for the hospice.

"We are all proud of you Lindsay."

Lindsay completed her swimming challenge at Swim School Lancashire with the support of nurses from Pendleside Hospice.

Throughout 2019 Lindsay battled various seizures, time in critical care units as well as nine major brain surgeries and was told she had just days to live when she was transferred from Preston Hospital to Pendleside Hospice in July 2020.

Lindsay's husband Gareth said: "To achieve what Lindsay has done given her condition is beyond imagination and I am so proud of her. She always thinks of others, no matter what she's facing, and she was determined to do what she could to help support these two very worthy causes.

"I'm delighted that she's been recognised by the Mayor and I know she was very touched by the honour of being the first to receive one of his medals."

You can still make a donation to Lindsay's fund by searching Lindsay Sharples fundraising on facebook.