Cancer 'warrior's' exercise charity up and running

A woman who says she is "not defined" by her terminal cancer diagnosis has officially launched her charity to help other "warriors" like herself.

Victoria Skinner, 38, from Northampton, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2015, was later declared cancer free, but was told in 2021 she had incurable secondary cancer and had three years to live.

Ms Skinner, also known as Tor, said exercising helped her physically and mentally, so created The Tor-Rox Foundation as her "lasting legacy" to her five-year-old daughter Isla Rose.

The charity will offer grants to people with cancer so they are able to access physical activities.

The charity has officially been recognised by the Charity Commission after what Ms Skinner said was years of planning and a year's worth of paperwork.

"It feel amazing, I feel really proud to have set it up and leave a legacy for my daughter Isla Rose, and all cancer warriors," she said.

"I'm really hoping it will help others living with cancer, to find exercise and witness the effect both physically and mentally.

"There is no better advocate, as someone living with cancer, to what is possible; I want to break down those barriers of what a cancer patient can and can't do."

She said she got into exercising in 2022 after being encouraged by her husband, as before then "I couldn't even lift a light weight".

She became hooked, and in November 2023 completed her first Hyrox - a fitness competition - and has gone on to compete in two more.

"I'm not telling everyone to do a Hyrox - it's an extreme - but I competed to raise £33,523, awareness and to start my charity."

Hyrox involves a mixture of running interspersed with workouts such as sled pulls/pushes and burpee jumps.

She said the foundation would provide financial grants to people with cancer, to gain access to personalised exercise programmes and training.

"For me, movement is medicine; it's about staying active, going for a walk, lifting a weight," she said.

"I wanted to give something back when I got my strength back.

"I was just exhausted all the time after years of treatment, running an events business and being a mum; it's keeping me busy and life is for living.

"Cancer doesn't define me; I'm stronger than that."

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