Mother and daughter take on inspirational challenge for RNOH Charity

Posted by June Heath on 07 April 2025

A determined mother and daughter are taking on an extraordinary challenge to give back to RNOH. Jeanette Winyard, who had her leg amputated last year after battling cancer, will walk an incredible 2.62 miles – 10% of the London Marathon – while her daughter, Georgia, takes on the full 26.2-mile race in April, just 14 months after Jeanette
lost her leg.

Jeanette’s journey

Jeanette’s battle began back in 2000 when she was first diagnosed with muscular sarcoma after discovering a lump in her right leg. She endured surgery and radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital, followed by several relapses that required further gruelling surgeries and treatments at UCLH. In 2015, Jeanette’s right foot turned inwards, meaning she needed an operation at RNOH to straighten her ankle and toes so she could walk normally.

But just when she thought the worst was behind her, Jeanette discovered a small lump behind her knee in November 2023. Initially just a slight pain, it quickly became worse, leaving her unable to complete daily activities. A scan confirmed the devastating news – Jeanette had an aggressive osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

Faced with limited options, doctors at RNOH determined that the best course of action was an above-knee amputation. The surgery took place in February 2024, just days before Georgia moved to New Zealand for work. Jeanette says: “By this time, I was glad to have the surgery because I was in so much pain, I couldn’t do much.”

Jeanette even spent her 60th birthday in hospital, but thanks to the incredible team at RNOH, she was discharged just eight days later – making it home in time to say goodbye to Georgia before her big move. “The staff at RNOH Stanmore did an amazing job to get me home the day after my birthday and so I could be home for the weekend before Georgia moved to New Zealand.”

Georgia was in two minds about leaving but her mum convinced her to grab the opportunity. “It worked for me as a good reminder that you never know what is going to happen so you should take opportunities as they come,” Georgia says. Jeanette adds: “I have now visited Georgia in New Zealand – something I never thought would be possible 12 months ago.”

After the amputation, Jeanette faced months of chemotherapy. But in May, she was given a life-changing opportunity – a place in a trial for a prosthetic leg with an adjustable socket, meaning she didn’t have to wait until after chemo to start learning to walk again.

The role of RNOH Charity in Jeanette’s recovery

Jeanette’s recovery hit a heart-breaking setback in October when she suffered a fall and broke her residual femur, the remaining part of her leg above the prosthetic, forcing her to stop using the prosthetic for three months. But Jeanette refused to be beaten. With sheer determination and support from the incredible physiotherapists at RNOH, she has slowly built her strength back up. She has even had access to cutting-edge rehabilitation in the hospital’s state-of-the-art Motor Learning Lab, where the new motion capture treadmill was funded entirely by a generous donation to RNOH Charity.

Now, less than a year after learning to walk again, Jeanette is taking on an inspirational challenge with Georgia. As Georgia runs the iconic London Marathon, Jeanette will push herself to walk 10% of the same distance – 2.62 miles – proving just how far she has come.

Through every surgery, setback and success, Jeanette and Georgia have supported one another, and this incredible challenge is a testament to their love and resilience. “I’m really looking forward to the event,” Georgia says. “The support and atmosphere in London are supposed to be some of the best in the world, and even better, I get to combine it with a trip back home to see friends and family. But more than that, it will be a great achievement for my mum to walk 2.62 miles less than a year after her last setback and her determination to walk again.”

Jeanette is equally excited and immensely grateful to the medical teams that have supported her throughout her treatment. “The staff at Stanmore have been amazing, from helping me when I broke my leg to giving me confidence with my walking. I’m lucky to have access to their care.”

The duo are raising funds to support treatment and rehabilitation services at RNOH. Donations can be made through their JustGiving page: Georgia and Jeanette's 26.2 / 2.62 miles for the RNOH and UCLH Cancer Fund is fundraising for The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity

Their challenge is a true testament to resilience, medical advancements and the power of sheer determination. As Jeanette crosses her 2.62-mile finish line and Georgia completes the marathon, they will be celebrating not just a personal victory, but an extraordinary journey of courage and hope. Thank you and good luck, Jeanette and Georgia!