Running the Race for Life – Summer 2013

This summer there’ll be 2 Coasties gasping for breath as we both run in Race for Life events! Maria Jackson, our Officer Manager and I will be taking part as a way to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Research UK. Maria is running in the Basildon event on 23^rd of June whilst I’ll be running in Chelmsford on the 7^th of July.

The Race for Life has been held annually since 1994 and to date has raised over £493 million, a total myself and Maria would love to add to. The money raised goes towards funding pioneering research into cancer with the goal of improving survivability rates. Since the first Race for Life, death rates from cancer have fallen by around 16%, a step towards the charity’s ultimate call of bringing forward the day when all cancers are cured.

I’m running the 10K for personal reasons, having lost family members to cancer and seen close relatives battle and win (and in some cases continue to battle) different types of cancer. Ultimately I’m running it for my family, my children and my community. I really hope that one day, cancer is no more than the common cold is to us currently. Whilst this all sounds very dramatic; the Race for Life is also a fun event, and a great excuse to dress entirely in pink for a day!

Maria is also running for family reasons, her Gran having been diagnosed with cancer about 2 years ago. Thanks to them spotting it quickly and treating her rapidly she’s now in remission and is back to normal!  On asking Maria about her motivations she said “I feel it’s my duty to raise money so that no-one has to lose a grandparent, parent, sibling or friend. “ Maria is also aiming to complete the 5K in less than 30 mins – a challenging target that with a little dedication I’m sure she’ll be able to achieve!

If you would like to sponsor either of us we would be honoured, any amount you can donate no matter how seemingly small makes a huge difference, and is greatly appreciated. Whether it be pence or pounds, every bit helps!

To sponsor me: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/kellyandkaty

To sponsor Maria: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/flisstia1

Naturally we will be posting photos of us during and after the event – after I have filtered out those of me looking too “puffed out” of course!!