Mums urged to sign up for Race For Life (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Mums urged to sign up for Race For Life

9:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News By Jessica Nightingale, T&A Reporter

As Mother’s Day approaches, Cancer Research UK is calling mums and daughters across the Bradford district to sign up for its Race For Life.

Securing a place in the event, which takes place in Lister Park on Sunday, June 9, is a great excuse for mothers and daughters to spend quality time together as they walk, jog, run or even dance their way around the 5km route, says the charity.

Last year, 2,227 women took part in the event in Bradford and raised a total of £104,235. This year, organisers are aiming for 3,000 women and girls to stride out to help raise £125,000 for vital research.

Every hour, about three people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire and Humberside. That’s why women and girls of all ages, shapes and sizes are needed to join together to hit cancer where it hurts, said Philippa Sharpe, Cancer Research UK’s Yorkshire events manager.

“Mother’s Day is the special occasion when we acknowledge that universal truth – it’s mums who make the world go round,” she said.

“We want to encourage women in Bradford to buy their mums a very special gift this year – a place in Race For Life.

“And by signing up themselves, they will be able to stand together, side by side, on the start line in a defiant gesture to cancer.

“We want to recruit a formidable Mum’s Army, ready to take on cancer and win.

“We all know how committed mothers can be when they really make up their minds to do something.

“And we want to harness that power and create a unique force that will stop cancer in its tracks, by raising money for crucial research.”

Other Race For Life events taking place in the district include one in Ilkley on Sunday, July 14, in East Holmes Fields.

A total of 930 women took part in Race For Life in Ilkley and raised £52,341. This year, organisers are aiming for 1,500 women and girls to help raise £90,000 for vital research.

Cancer Research UK was able to spend more than £8 million in Yorkshire last year on a wide range of research into many types of cancer, supporting the work of doctors, nurses and scientists at hospitals and major universities in the region.

To enter Bradford Race For Life visit raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.

 

CASE STUDY:

For one mum Race For Life forms a huge part of her life – in both a personal and professional capacity.
Jenny Murgatroyd, 31, of Eldwick, Bingley, lost her own mother, Andrea Key, to brain cancer in 2002 and has been taking part in the annual Race For Life since.
She works as a senior area events manager for Cancer Research UK and organised the Bradford Race For Life for four years up until last year.
She now organises the event in other places across Yorkshire.
This year she is unable to take part in the Bradford race but will complete the Ilkley event on July 14 with her three daughters – Georgia, four, Isabella, two, and Freya, one.
She said: “The charity means a lot to me for the incredible work it does to help find a cure for cancer. It is really close to my heart.
“Unfortunately they couldn’t do anything for my mum, but through people taking part in the event they can make a difference to the lives of others.
“It is an amazing and emotional day but it is a lot of fun. It’s a nice family atmosphere. Women are united together taking on cancer.”