'Amazing' - Jarrow couple take on the 'world's fastest seated zip line' following breast cancer battle
A Jarrow couple have taken on a 70mph zip line to raise funds for a women’s cancer charity.
A Jarrow woman and her husband have taken on the ‘world’s fastest seated zip line’ just months after she was given the all-clear from breast cancer.
Stacey and Phil Sayers took on The Phoenix at Tower Colliery, in South Wales, on Saturday, August 22, alongside their friends Mia Randall, from Merthyr Tydfil, and Andy Hudson, from Leeds.
Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025, with the 51-year-old undergoing a double mastectomy followed by months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She has since praised the “magnificent speed and care” of the breast screening unit at Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital.
‘Check your body regularly’
As a result, Stacey wanted to take on the 70mph zip line to raise funds for the Women’s Cancer Detection Society, which is based at the QE and helps women across the North East.
Following her diagnosis and treatment, Stacey has previously called on women to check their bodies regularly.
She commented: “If there is any advice we can give to people out there, it’s get to know your body and check regularly.
“If you feel anything out of the ordinary, get it checked out straightaway.”
‘Danger of death’
Phil, who isn’t keen on heights, has told the Shields Gazette that the amount of donations spurred him to take on more than 1.5km of zip lines, some of which soars over the Llyn Fawr.
The 55-year-old said: “It was spot on - there was four of us who did it including myself and Stacey, plus two of our friends.
“We were kitted out with our helmets and harnesses before we got a minibus up the mountain and the first thing I saw at the top was a sign that said ‘danger of death’.
“That really freaked out me and I was really close to turning round, I think it would have done if it wasn’t for the amount of sponsors we’d received.
“Stacey and our friends were loving it though, then I saw a few kids doing it so I thought that I’d have to do it as well.
“I was the last one to go but once I was in the air, I just flew past everyone - it was amazing and an excellent experience.”
‘Great to give something back’
At the time of writing, the pair have raised just over £700 via their online fundraiser, with cash donations taking the total to around £1,000 raised for the Women’s Cancer Detection Society.
Having set an initial target of £200, Phil has expressed how happy the couple are to be able to give a small amount back to the medical professionals who helped Stacey throughout her breast cancer battle.
He added: “It has been great to raise this amount of money, especially because of what they’ve done for Stacey on the ward.
“The speed of everything they did was incredible so it feels great to be able to give a little something back.
“It has been really good.”
You can view and donate to Stacey and Phil’s fundraising by visiting: https://www.gofundme.com/f/zipping-to-help-breast-cancer.
If you wish to find out more information about the Women’s Cancer Detection Society, then visit: https://www.wcdsgateshead.co.uk/.