A spinathon has been helping power a family’s race to raise £200,000 for life-saving treatment abroad.
Organised by the Porthleven Fitness Collective, the event was held at The Shipyard Gym in Porthleven on Saturday in support of Florence Moffat-Charles - a 31-year-old woman who urgently needs a liver transplant in Turkey.
Florence's mum Jackie Moffat, who lives in Nancellogan, previously told the Packet that her daughter had been diagnosed with two rare liver conditions within the space of two years.
Florence was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) - a rare autoimmune disease that damages the bile ducts and liver - in 2024, just months after her wedding to husband Josh. The condition often leads to severe liver damage or failure, and there is no cure.
Then, in 2025, Florence received an even more devastating diagnosis: cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), cancer of the bile ducts.
Although some CCAs can be treated with an NHS liver transplant, the criteria are extremely strict. Because Florence has multiple tumours, she does not qualify.
Instead the family are hoping the procedure can be carried out in Turkey, and are now trying to raise £200,000 to cover the significant costs involved in covering two surgeries, hospital care, accommodation, travel, insurance, and long‑term recovery.
The fundraising page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/help-florence-get-a-lifesaving-liver-transplant
Florence's husband, Josh Moffat-Charles, said: "Over the past year, our lives have changed completely.
"Flo has endured long hospital stays, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and multiple invasive procedures, all whilst showing incredible strength at every stage of this devastating journey.
"Before her diagnosis, you'd usually find Flo playing netball, climbing mountains, wild swimming or enjoying a cup of tea at home with her family and our dog, Spencer.
"Even now, Flo is still the first person to show up for her friends, often protecting them from the reality of what she's going through herself.
"She has turned every chemo session into a ‘Treatment Party’ complete with themes and party hats for each infusion."
Inspired by this, those taking part in Saturday's spinathon event wore party hats, turning the event into a 'pedal party'.
Porthleven Fitness Collective invited supporters to clock up miles and donate £10 for every ten miles cycled.
Participants of all ages and fitness levels were encouraged to join, with the event running from 7am and open to everyone, with plenty of cake available to help fuel them.
It is the latest in a series of fundraising events to help reach the target, with almost £150,000 raised to date.
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Flo and Josh recently travelled to Turkey for initial tests, where they found out that Flo is a viable candidate for a liver transplant.
However, in an update on Facebook, the couple said that while checking Josh’s compatibility as a donor, the doctors discovered some complications with the anatomy of his liver, meaning the process would not be as straightforward or as safe for Flo as they would like.
"The surgery could still go ahead with Josh as the live donor, however they have recommended we consider other potential donors who may be a better anatomical match," the update said.
The couple added: "There’s still so much for us to process and think about when we return to the UK, and we know there’s a long road ahead. But despite everything, we’re holding onto the incredibly positive news that a transplant is possible for Flo."
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