Honouring Amanda: three sisters Walk in Her Name

At Ovarian Cancer Action, we are constantly inspired by the incredible stories of our supporters.

This March, as part of our Walk in Her Name Challenge, we’re honoured to share the story of three remarkable sisters who are walking 100km together to honour the memory of their sister, Amanda, who passed away from ovarian cancer.

Their journey is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and determination to make a difference.

Why did you choose to take on Walk in Her Name?

“Because it was something that my sisters, friends, and family could all take part in together. It was easy to do—all we had to do was put on our walking shoes and open the front door. Also, there’s nothing like challenging a Selman to do something as they can’t resist taking on a challenge and trying to beat it!”

For these sisters, Walk in Her Name provided a simple yet meaningful way to come together and honour Amanda while also raising vital funds for ovarian cancer research. The challenge created an opportunity to share memories, celebrate Amanda’s life, and feel connected to something bigger.

What is a favourite memory of your sister, Amanda?

“Amanda was older than me, and when my younger sister and I were little, Amanda used to set up ‘horse’ jumps (made of brooms, mops, and even the rabbit hutch) in the garden. My little sister and I would pretend to be horses, complete with riding hats, and ride around the course. Amanda would award us homemade rosettes for the best rider!

She also used to make us a Nutella, chocolate, and hazelnut mousse-type pudding that was really yummy. It was our little secret because our mum wasn’t very keen on Amanda making it for us since it had loads of sugar in it!”

What did you enjoy most about the challenge?

“Having something very personal to me that made me get out every day, come rain or shine, into the fresh air and have some quiet time to think about Amanda. I discovered lots of new walks, local sites, and monuments, as well as some interesting history that I didn’t know about despite living in the area for 18+ years!

I may also have discovered some secret watering holes… aka local hostelries!”

What is your top fundraising tip?

“Tell as many friends as possible that you’re doing it and try to pre-schedule dates to walk with people. Put them in your diary—that way, it’s not so easy to cancel or find an excuse not to do it. Find someone’s dog to walk; there’s always a dog nearby who’s very pleased to be taken for walkies.”

What are your words of encouragement for this year’s participants?

“By taking part in the walk, at least something good will come out of the sadness of losing a loved one. You will be helping to raise awareness of the symptoms and raising money that will go to a very good cause. The more people you can encourage to do it with you, the better. You’ll be surprised how much you enjoy it—I continue to walk every day and feel better for it.”

These heartfelt words capture the spirit of Walk in Her Name—a chance to turn grief into action and make a tangible difference for those affected by ovarian cancer.

What does supporting Ovarian Cancer Action mean to you?

“If I can do some small things that help to raise awareness of the symptoms or help raise money for vital research, then I will at least feel I have tried to do something to combat this truly horrid cancer. She was my sister, and I have to do something, however small.”

The love and dedication of Amanda’s sisters remind us all of the importance of taking action—no matter how big or small—to help create a future where no one has to lose a loved one to ovarian cancer.