A MOTHER-AND-DAUGHTER from the Bradford district will raise money for Cancer Research UK by running the London Marathon next month, in memory of a close friend.

Claire Ryan, 52, and Millie Ryan, 22, from East Morton near Bingley, will descend on the capital on April 26.

They will be paying tribute to their friend Louise Harrison, who, after a three-year battle with triple negative breast cancer, passed away in September, at the age of 53.

Claire and Millie concede that they “Aren’t professional athletes”, but they have been following a 16-week marathon plan in preparation for the big day.

“We’re having to train very hard - it’s been difficult in this wind and rain we’ve had recently, but we know it is not as hard as what Louise and other cancer sufferers have had to go through”, said Claire, who is a Revenue Manager at IHG.

“Our friend Louise faced all of life’s ups and downs over the years with good grace, a smile and an inner strength, never letting the illness and treatments take over her life.

“She was a real inspiration to those around her and we are all sorry to lose her.

“At her funeral, we all agreed that we must be positive and do big things to raise money for Cancer Research, in her memory.

“Louise was an amazing person and was always looking at different treatments and researching new options. She would want us to be positive and help to support finding new cures for the future - so this is what we’re doing.”

Claire secured her place in the London Marathon through employers IHG, a multinational hospitality company which has hotels and guest rooms worldwide.

IHG is one of the sponsors of the marathon - Claire says she applied for one of its places and was “Lucky enough to get it!”, using the opportunity to raise money for a good cause, in Louise’s memory.

Millie, who is studying law conversion at BPP University in Leeds and has aspirations to be a family lawyer, spoke of how the training process has been difficult, but not enough to stop her and her mother’s ambitions.

“The training for the marathon has been tough, especially with the Yorkshire weather this time of year”, she said.

“However, we are running for such an important cause and the kind and generous donations we have received so far are keeping us going.”

Claire and Millie have set up a fundraising page, which has so far raised over £1,500, as well as organising other fundraising initiatives to help the cause.

“We want to raise as much money as possible in Louise’s memory - we have a target of £5,000 and we hope to smash this”, Claire said.

“Between myself and Millie, we have organised three fundraising events, with all proceeds again going to Cancer Research UK.

"In January, we had a‘Wear it Pink’ morning at Faweather Stables, High Eldwick, where Louise’s horse Trueno is stabled - it raised £2,000. We also have a Charity Ladies Night at Baildon Rugby Club on 5 March and a Charity Ball on Saturday 14 March.

Claire and Millie's fundraising page can be found online at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/claire-millie-londonmarathon.