Cancer patient Jade to fulfil her dream to swim with pigs
Kind-hearted care worker Jade Shovlin is a step closer to achieving her dream, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The 20-year-old, from Roker, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, which doctors said is incurable, on May 22.
She was told following her diagnosis that she has less than two years to live, leaving those close to her devastated.
Jade has always wanted to go on holiday and visit Pig Beach in the Bahamas, so friend and colleague Deanne Earl created a fundraiser to help achieve her dream.
Now that dream is one step closer after more than £10,000 was raised and a stranger stepped in to help.
Canadian author Jeff Todd wrote a book about the swimming pigs who live on an island in the Bahamas.
When he saw Jade’s story online, he contacted her and has offered to help arrange an all-expenses paid trip.
Jade was delighted when Jeff got in touch.
She said: “I honestly couldn’t believe it, it is such a weird situation.
“He put me in contact with the owner of the Grand Isle Resort in The Bahamas, who has offered me the chance to stay for free.
“I can’t fly until next year but I feel like my dream is closer, it is just a shame about having to wait.”
The care home worker has started treatment after the devastating diagnosis and said she is trying to take the heartbreaking news in her stride.
She said: “I’m just taking it on the chin, it hasn’t really sunk in for me yet.
“I feel more for my friends and family, especially my mam and boyfriend.
“I’ve just been keeping myself busy and trying not to focus on it too much.”
Jade’s fundraiser has raised over £11,000, she has thanked people for donating.
“I really didn’t expect it to raise as much money as it has and I can’t thank everyone enough.
“Now I’ve been offered the free stay, the money will be spent on flights and spending money when we arrive.”
Pig Beach is on an uninhabited island in Exuma. A colony of feral pigs live on the island, which are known as the swimming pigs.
They are fed by residents of neighbouring islands and tourists.