Local woman urges Cheshire to join the Race for Life
A giant Race for Life wall which pays tribute to a Cheshire woman has gone up at Tatton Park and Cholmondeley Castle to encourage people to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. Lesley Rowlands, a volunteer will feature on the giant Race for Life wall to encourage people in the town to sign up for this year’s Cheshire events taking place throughout June and July.
Lesley’s personal story and motivation behind their participation in Race for Life will be displayed on a giant back sign at the venue – like the signs worn by participants on their backs and a key element of both the events and this year’s campaign. The wall is designed to mirror the hugely emotional reflection area set up on event day, where participants come together toremember loved ones lost to cancer, celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived or support those going through treatment. Lesley will also feature in a social media campaign with posts on the Cancer Research UK’s North West Events Twitter account (@CRUKEventsNW).
When asked what Race for Life events mean to them, Lesley explained: I started getting involved with Race for Life in 2005 to continue my voluntary work with Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK Committee. David (my husband) & I helped to work out 5K courses at many venues in the North West: we would arrive on the day, help set up the course, act as marshals and I even took part in a few myself. Although it was hard work, we loved meeting regulars who volunteered and all the participants. As a result, Crewe & Nantwich Cancer Research UK Committee members also got involved and that has continued every year, with members from our committee volunteering to set up courses, marshal and sell flowers and cakes.
Lesley continues: 2017 was a difficult year as David died from cancer. It was the first year he had not volunteered, but I continued with Race for Life – it was a comfort to focus on something that David enjoyed and to meet wonderful friends who all come together for similar reasons. At a really tough time the kindness of all those friends helped me, and last year Delamere and Tatton Park events were dedicated to David.”
To those who have not yet signed up, she urges them to do so, adding: “Volunteering for CRUK is fun and I have many happy shared memories to cherish while still helping to raise vital funds for research.
Laura Cass, Cancer Research UK’s Cheshire Event Manager, said: “We’re very grateful to Lesley for their support with this campaign. By following Lesley’s lead and joining the Race for Life in Cheshire, people can make a real difference in the fight against cancer.”
“Our Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting. You don’t need to be sporty to take part. You don’t have to train, and you certainly don’t need to compete against anyone else. It’s a perfect example of everyday people doing an extraordinary thing – uniting in a common cause to beat cancer.”
Laura continued: “We encourage our participants to help raise money in whatever way they like – there are lots of ideas on the Race for Life website.”
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. Cancer survival in the UK has 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 series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
This year, for the first time, Cancer Research UK is inviting everyone – women, men and children – to join the Race for Life.
To join Race for Life today visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
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