A Greenock grandmother is embarking on a challenging trek in Peru to celebrate 11 years in remission from breast cancer and raise money for a charitable cause. Elizabeth MacKenzie, co-founder of Wet Wall Works and Bathroom Elegance, will be joined by her husband and son as they trek the 26-mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Their goal is to raise funds for Finding Your Feet, a leading charity in Scotland that supports individuals affected by amputation or limb absence.
Liz was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in March 2014, a more aggressive form of the disease with limited treatment options and a higher risk of recurrence. She credits her early diagnosis for her survival and believes it is important to raise awareness about the importance of early detection. At the time of her diagnosis, she was 50 years old and working as a teacher at Clydeview Academy in Inverclyde. After undergoing a mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy, Liz found it difficult to return to work due to the physical and emotional toll of her experience.
In 2014, Liz and her husband launched Wet Wall Works alongside their existing business, Bathroom Elegance. Since then, she has been on a journey of resilience, gratitude, and giving back. Every year, Liz hosts a garden party with other cancer survivors, ringing a brass bell once for every year in remission. This year, she rang it 11 times and decided to commemorate the milestone with an even bigger challenge.
Reflecting on her journey, Liz says, “I never thought I would be doing this 10 years later. Surviving cancer changed my life. You become more grateful for what you have, and you become more aware of your own mortality.”
The trek will see Liz, Alister, and Stuart camping overnight, hiking 10km a day, and reaching altitudes of over 4,200m. Despite the challenges, the family is looking forward to the experience and is proudly sponsoring the trek through their businesses so that all donations go directly to Finding Your Feet.
Liz chose to support FYF after meeting the charity’s founder, Cor Hutton, during a holiday in Dubrovnik. Cor, a quadruple amputee who lost her hands and feet to sepsis, later became the first person in the UK to receive a double hand transplant. Inspired by her own experience, Cor created the charity to support others facing limb loss.
Liz says, “You realize how precious life is. Just being here for my granddaughter Charley is so important. She is the apple of my eye.” She also believes that having a positive mindset is crucial in overcoming challenges, and it has helped her get through her cancer treatment.
According to statistics, hundreds of people in Scotland lose a limb every year due to various reasons. FYF offers vital support through peer communities, emotional well-being support, fitness clubs, and opportunities for people to rebuild confidence and connection after amputation.
The trek is being self-funded by the family, and all donations will go directly to supporting amputees across Scotland. To support their campaign, visit www.justgiving.com/page/wetwallworks.
