Gran, 80, with rare cancer to abseil from landmark

Former light aircraft pilot Catriona was diagnosed with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma

An 80-year-old grandmother undergoing treatment for a rare cancer is planning to abseil from a 170-metre high landmark for charity.

Catriona Tremlett, from Haslemere, was diagnosed with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma just after Christmas in 2020 and had her left kidney removed along with the 4.5kg tumour.

Last year, she was given chemotherapy as a "last resort" after being told her illness was terminal and held a party to say goodbye to her husband, four children and 14 grandchildren.

But the "daredevil" gran is now due to descend from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth on Saturday to raise funds for the Sarcoma UK charity.

"The chemotherapy gave me a little more time," she said.

"I arranged a big party with all my family and gave a farewell speech... but here I still am."

There is an average of 525 cases of leiomyosarcoma diagnosed every year in England.

'Extraordinary courage'

Although the chemotherapy caused Catriona heart failure, her current condition remains stable.

She added: "I wasn't fighting cancer. I always accepted the fact I had cancer and made the best of it. There was no point in becoming angry.

"I wanted to do something challenging like a skydive or a wing walk but I was told I couldn't because of the heart condition.

"Sarcoma is a rare cancer and Sarcoma UK is a small charity so I want to do something positive for them."

It will not be her first challenge from a great height - 20 years ago she descended from the tower at Guildford Cathedral on a zip wire and as a young woman she piloted light aircraft.

Sarcoma UK's director of fundraising and communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, praised Catriona's "extraordinary courage and determination".

"Her fundraising efforts for the Spinnaker Tower abseil are really inspiring, especially considering her own health challenges," she added.