An appeal has been launched to find women to take part in a fun run in aid of a cancer charity.
Organisers of the Cancer Research Race for Life came to the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre in Wrexham to recruit runners for the women-only event at the Alyn Waters Country Park on Sunday, June 4.
They are looking for mums, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and granddaughters to take part in the non-competitive fund-raiser.
Among those to answer the call was Acton mum Charlie Nash, who pledged to take part along with her sister Tina Nash-Burnham and sister-in-law Gemma Price.
Tina, who works as a school dinner lady as well as being a full-time mum, said: “I have been thinking of taking part for a long time and this year I’m going to do it.
“Cancer has been devastating in my family. My Nan suffered from cancer but has made a full recovery but my granddad died of liver cancer in 2014 and that really hit us. And my step-brother’s mum has cancer too. It’s been devastating for my family.
“Raising money to fight cancer is really important and I’m going to get involved and will be pushing my sister and sister-in-law to join me.”
Kirsti Thompson, Cancer Research UK’s North Wales and Manchester Event Manager, says there is no better time for women living in and around Wrexham to pull on their trainers, limber up and join like-minded women committed to raising money to fight cancer.
She said: “All the money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together, create precious memories and join like-minded women determined to beat cancer sooner rather than later.
“Race for Life events are non-competitive and whether participants choose to walk, jog or run around the course, every step we take together will help to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
She added: “We really appreciate Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre giving us the opportunity to launch this year’s Wrexham event and encourage mums, daughters, sisters and friends to sign up to Race for Life.
“We have also held a lucky dip event at our Eagles Meadow launch giving people the chance to win a free entry to this year’s event as well as other goodies such as energy products and skin creams.
“The women of Wrexham are amazing and we have met so many inspirational people who are already signed up or have pledged to take part. Together we can raise more money to support our life saving research and try and stop this devastating disease in its tracks”
One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before.
Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Marathon and Hiking events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner by funding life-saving research.
Kirsti added: “By coming together, they can be part of a formidable force of women who are all united in their determination to beat cancer. Ladies of Wrexham, we’ve no doubt you’re up to the challenge.
“And if you can’t make the Wrexham event then there’s a race for Life in Caernarfon on May 2, Rhyl on June 11 or Chester on July 9.”
Eagles Meadow manager, Kevin Critchley was delighted to help Cancer Research UK launch their 2017 Wrexham race for Life.
He said: “It’s vital we fight cancer in all its forms but to beat this terrible disease is going to cost a great deal of money. Every penny counts and I’m delighted we have been able to help Kirsti and Cancer Research UK with this year’s launch of the Wrexham Race for Life event.
“I know our shoppers and visitors always respond to these events and I have no doubt this year’s event will see thousands of women sign up and take part.
“I wish everyone who enters luck. The best thing about race for Life is it’s not a competitive event and no one cares if those women taking part run, jog, walk or even crawl around the 5k course!”
To enter Race for Life, which costs £14.99 for adults, £9.99 for children aged six to 5 and is free for those under six, please visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770 and for further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
