22nd July 2026 by Alistair Henderson
I'm Alistair, and I live in Eskbank, Midlothian, with my stepson, Tristan. This September, the two of us – along with a few friends – will be taking on Sir Chris Hoy's Tour de 4 in Glasgow to raise money in memory of Karen for the Karen Henderson Legacy Fund at Make 2nds Count.
Since May, I've been following a training plan and getting out on my bike every week. My rides have usually involved a coffee and scone stop – essential fuel, of course – but I'm slowly making progress.
The padded cycling shorts have been a game changer, and I've now managed my longest ride yet at 23 miles. My goal is to reach 30 miles before taking on the full 38.1-mile Tour de 4 route.
Am I nervous? Absolutely.
Tristan, on the other hand, has taken to cycling like a natural. He's already comfortably riding over 40 miles in one go and has thrown himself into training and getting his bike race-ready. I'm incredibly proud that we're doing this challenge together.
Everything we're doing is in memory of my late wife, Karen. She was beautiful, intelligent, funny and incredibly brave. We were together for over a decade before marrying in 2020, and along with Tristan, we were a close family. She had a successful career with HSBC, loved fashion, enjoyed keeping fit and made the most of every opportunity life offered.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Karen met Lisa Fleming, founder of Make 2nds Count, while they were both receiving treatment. Through that connection, Karen became acutely aware of how little awareness there was of secondary breast cancer, and how few charities existed solely to support people living with the disease.
Karen became a passionate patient advocate for Make 2nds Count, determined to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer and campaign for better funding, research and support. She spoke at major fundraising events, met politicians at Holyrood, appeared in the media and worked tirelessly to ensure the voices of people living with secondary breast cancer were heard.
Alongside her close friend Carol Robinson, she organised unforgettable fundraising events, including an ABBA-themed Mamma Mia night, Karen's Big Ball, Restoration Yard fashion shows, Kiltwalks and even a joyful Sunshine on Dalkeith music video featuring friends and family.
No matter what treatment she was facing, Karen always showed up with a smile, looking as glamorous as ever. She had an incredible ability to lift those around her and make people feel welcome.
When Karen passed away in 2021, aged just 48, one word appeared again and again in the tributes people shared: inspirational. Not because she pretended everything was fine, but because she faced every challenge with courage, kindness and an unwavering determination to help others.
Today, the Karen Henderson Legacy Fund continues the work that meant so much to her.
The fund supports wellbeing initiatives for people living with secondary breast cancer, helping Make 2nds Count provide activities and services to help people to live well with their disease. By funding these programmes, it also allows more of the charity's core fundraising to be directed towards vital research into secondary breast cancer, amongst other things.
Keeping Karen's legacy alive is deeply important to our family - and Karen herself raised more than £35,000 for charities including Make 2nds Count, Maggie's and Breast Cancer Now while undergoing treatment herself.
Through the Legacy Fund, we're proud to continue the work she started.
Tristan summed it up perfectly on his fundraising page:
"My lovely mum passed away in 2021 from secondary breast cancer. She was only 48. Mum was beautiful, kind, clever and full of life, and she always wanted to help other people.
To keep her memory and her kindness going, we now have a legacy fund in Mum's name with Make 2nds Count. It carries on the amazing fundraising she started and helps pay for wellbeing activities that make life a little brighter and happier for people across the UK living with secondary breast cancer."
I know Karen would be incredibly proud of Tristan, just as I am.
The Tour de 4 will undoubtedly be my biggest cycling challenge yet. There will almost certainly be sore legs and plenty of determination.
If our challenge raises awareness of secondary breast cancer, supports people living with the disease and helps continue the legacy Karen worked so hard to build, then every pedal stroke will be worth it.
If you'd like to take part in a fundraising event in memory or in honour of someone living with secondary breast cancer, visit our Get Involved page here.
Donate to Alistair's Go Fund Me page
Donate to Tristan's Go Fund Me page
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