At 82-years-old, John Sadler from Berriew near Welshpool was the oldest participant of Titty Trail 2025.
With multiple women in his life being diagnosed with breast cancer, John chose to sign up for the Bishop’s Castle route as he thought it was ‘a thing worth supporting’.
Taking part in the Lingen Davies Titty Trail hadn’t crossed John’s mind until he visited his local village shop to buy some postcards.
“I was in the shop looking at the postcards on offer as I like sending them to my grandchildren when I looked up and saw some flyers for the Titty Trail. I thought it sounded interesting, so I took a flyer home with me.
“The flyer had been put there by a woman from the village, a farmer’s wife, who I know well who’d had a mastectomy a couple of years ago following a breast cancer diagnosis. After reading more about the event I thought to myself that this is a thing worth supporting.”
With multiple women in his life being diagnosed with breast cancer, John decided to act and sign up for the 2025 Titty Trail Shropshire in Bishop’s Castle.
“My mother and her sister both had mastectomies in the 1960s and 1970s. My mother survived her breast cancer diagnosis, but unfortunately my aunt didn’t. More recently, my daughter who’s in her 40s had a mastectomy about three years ago.
“Reading the flyer reminded me that cancer is going on all the time and if I could raise some money for Lingen Davies by taking part, it would be a good thing to do.
“I’d heard of Lingen Davies before, having seen it mentioned a lot in my local newspaper, The County Times. I’ve also visited Royal Shrewsbury Hospital a few times, so I’d seen signs directing you to the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre.
“I didn’t know much about Lingen Davies before the event, but I knew what it was, and what it does for local people” he added.
After calling the Lingen Davies Fundraising Office, John was officially signed up to take part in Titty Trail Shropshire 2025.
Upon arriving at SpARC Leisure Centre in Bishop’s Castle, John was ready to get walking.
“The warm-up we did before starting the walk was done by a lovely character and it made me feel like part of a big, useful, fun thing. I know cancer is a serious topic, and likely a big topic for many of the people there, but we all just got on with it.
“I’d signed up to do the Titty Trail on my own but once we all set off, I quickly fell in with a group of women in their 20s and 30s who were ever such good company. They were great fun and really kept me going as I was quite tired towards the end.”
Despite having ample walking and map-reading experience, John chose to sign up to the guided walk led by a qualified walker from Sky Blue Adventures.
“The guide we had was terrific. By the time we got to the finish line, the group I was walking with was at the very back but luckily, we had Darren with us. He was good company and made sure we kept on track and didn’t take a wrong turn.
“The organisation of the whole event was terrific. After I’d completed it a couple of people I know gave me money for Lingen Davies, telling me I’d done good for a good cause.”
“If anyone was debating whether to take part in the 2026 event, I would certainly encourage them to sign up. It was quite hard work for me, but it was brilliant.
“The humour involved was wonderful. I wore a Titty Tribe t-shirt and, while I’d have never used that word before, I happily jumped in with it to raise awareness.
“It took a lot out of me, but I’d do it again. I had a good time,” he added.
Taking place in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Lingen Davies Titty Trails are dedicated to raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer while boosting vital charity funds.
This year the events are taking place in…
Aberystwyth – Saturday, 10th October 2026
Ironbridge – Sunday, 11th October 2026
Whether you sign up for one or both, you’ll be making a positive difference for people living with and beyond cancer in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Mid Wales.
Enjoyed reading John’s story? Read Sam’s experience with the Titty Trail.
