Cancer 'warrior's' exercise charity up and running

Victoria Skinner, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, said her charity aimed to "make positive impacts on the lives of people living with cancer"

A woman who says she is "not defined" by her terminal cancer diagnosis has officially launched her charity to help other "warriors" like herself.

Victoria Skinner, 38, from Northampton, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2015, was later declared cancer free, but was told in 2021 she had incurable secondary cancer and had three years to live.

Ms Skinner, also known as Tor, said exercising helped her physically and mentally, so created The Tor-Rox Foundation as her "lasting legacy" to her five-year-old daughter Isla Rose.

The charity will offer grants to people with cancer so they are able to access physical activities.

Tor said she made the most of her time with her husband Joe and daughter Isla Rose

The charity has officially been recognised by the Charity Commission after what Ms Skinner said was years of planning and a year's worth of paperwork.

"It feel amazing, I feel really proud to have set it up and leave a legacy for my daughter Isla Rose, and all cancer warriors," she said.

"I'm really hoping it will help others living with cancer, to find exercise and witness the effect both physically and mentally.

"There is no better advocate, as someone living with cancer, to what is possible; I want to break down those barriers of what a cancer patient can and can't do."

Tor was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2015, aged 28

She said she got into exercising in 2022 after being encouraged by her husband, as before then "I couldn't even lift a light weight".

She became hooked, and in November 2023 completed her first Hyrox - a fitness competition - and has gone on to compete in two more.

"I'm not telling everyone to do a Hyrox - it's an extreme - but I competed to raise £33,523, awareness and to start my charity."

Hyrox involves a mixture of running interspersed with workouts such as sled pulls/pushes and burpee jumps.

Tor completed her first Hyrox in 2023, then did another in may 2024 and a double event with her friend Suzy, in Paris in November 2024

She said the foundation would provide financial grants to people with cancer, to gain access to personalised exercise programmes and training.

"For me, movement is medicine; it's about staying active, going for a walk, lifting a weight," she said.

"I wanted to give something back when I got my strength back.

"I was just exhausted all the time after years of treatment, running an events business and being a mum; it's keeping me busy and life is for living.

"Cancer doesn't define me; I'm stronger than that."