Devon women embark on 630 mile trek dressed as poo and toilet roll

Two women from Devon are taking on a 630-mile walk on the South West Coast Path to help raise awareness of bowel disorders and break the taboo on talking about the subject - while dressed as a poo and toilet paper. 

Rebecca McWass from Plymouth and Caroline Bramwell from Ilfracombe, both survivors of bowel-related illnesses are going above and beyond by transforming the Bowel Cancer West's Virtual Ramblings South West Coast Path Challenge into a real large trek, rather than virtually along the rugged coastline. 

The duo will navigate the Bowel Cancer West’s Coastal Path Challenge, committing to walk the entire 630 miles over the year. In order to cover the distance in 12 months, the pair will average just under two miles of walking each day. 

They have decided to turn their walk into a bit of fun as well, as they will parade round dressed as a toilet roll and a poo. 

When they reach each of the 52 stages, they will receive a virtual postcard for the destination they’ve reached.

Bowel Cancer West is a charity that was founded to improve survival rates of people with bowel cancer in the South West of England. Currently the disease has a dangerously low profile, but they are looking to change that through advocacy and fundraising. 

The virtual version of the event encourages participants to cover the distance using any human-powered means, while those wanting to join the trek in real-time can follow updates on social media.

On January 11, Rebecca and Caroline commenced their real-time expedition from Minehead, Somerset, donning eye-catching costumes – Rebecca as a toilet roll, and Caroline as a cheerful poo. Their mission: raise awareness, break taboos, and bring the spotlight to bowel disorders, a cause often veiled in silence.

Surveying 1,000 adults in the West Country, Bowel Cancer West revealed startling statistics: nine in 10 lacked sufficient knowledge about bowel cancer, one in three knew someone affected by bowel cancer, two in five felt embarrassed discussing bowel issues with a GP, one in eight would avoid seeking medical help unless urgent, and only 58 per cent participated in the bowel cancer screening program.

Rebecca triumphed over adversity, facing 10 benign tumours impacting her sigmoid colon and bladder. Enduring cancer triage uncertainty, she emerged victorious, undergoing surgery to safeguard her bowel and colon. A past marathon runner, Rebecca has eagerly anticipated regaining fitness and supporting others on this extraordinary coastal trek.

Caroline grappled with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disorder, which left her totally housebound and having to be within a few feet of a toilet at all times. She even became hospitalised and needed blood transfusions.

Enduring years of struggles, it lead to the removal of her large intestine. Now living with a permanent ileostomy (stoma), she has embraced the challenge to shatter the silence surrounding bowel disorders.  

All funds raised from event entries and Rebecca and Caroline's walk directly support Bowel Cancer West's mission. The contributions aid in raising awareness, funding research and providing assistance to individuals coping with bowel cancer.

Diane Sheppard, Director of Bowel Cancer West has said: “We are so delighted that Rebecca and Caroline are taking on this inaugural event in real-time to help us raise awareness of Bowel Cancer across the South West.

"The funds raised will help the charity continue to raise awareness of bowel cancer,  its symptoms and the importance of exercise and healthy diet in reducing the risk of bowel cancer. It will also support the funding of research and training relating to bowel cancer and supporting people who suffer with bowel cancer.”

As Bowel Cancer West celebrates its 15th anniversary, the goal is to raise £15,000 over the course of the year.

For anyone wishing to join both Caroline and Rebecca, the public can keep abreast of when they will be on the Bowel Cancer West social media page.

Participants can join the Virtual Ramblings Challenge at any point via registering on https://bit.ly/VirtualRamblingsSWCoastalPath.