[A] WALNEY mum-of-two is taking on one of the UK’s biggest sporting challenges to raise vital funds for cancer research after her father was diagnosed with the disease.
Julie Wagstaff, from Frome Road, Walney, will be putting her best foot forward in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon (VMLM) on Sunday, April 23 and is raising funds to help Cancer Research UK beat cancer sooner.
Julie is running in tribute to her father Denis Bell, 83, who has beaten bladder cancer and currently has prostate cancer as well as other family and friends who have been affected by the disease over the years.
The 49-year-old is also encouraging anyone who already has a place in this year’s event to unite with her in the fight against the disease by joining the charity’s running team.
Julie, hopes that together, they will raise as much money as possible for life-saving research to help more men, women and children in Cumbria survive.
She said: “Cancer Research UK is very close to my heart. I’ve always wanted to run the London Marathon since I was a teenager and Cancer Research UK is the only charity I wanted to run for.
“My dad has beaten bladder cancer and is living with prostate cancer and over the years I’ve seen lots of people affected by cancer.
“By raising money through the Virgin Money London Marathon, I want to help the charity ensure more people are treated successfully.”
Julie is aiming to run every step of the 26.2 miles and has already smashed her £2,000 target and raised over £3,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Julie, who works for BT in Barrow, added: “The Virgin Money London Marathon is one of the most exciting running events in the world and I’m really delighted that I’ll be part of it for the first time.
“I’ve always run on and off since I was young and did cross country at school but for the last three and a half years I’ve been entering more races and keeping my training going so I’m looking forward to the marathon now.
“I’d like to thank all the people who have helped me with this challenge. My partner, Cath Marx, who has kept me motivated with my training – even getting up at 4am to accompany me on training runs. Her colleagues at Royal Mail and my colleagues at BT who have all been really supportive and taken part in fundraising chocolate sales, raffles, toasted tea cake and hotdog stalls. My two sons – Adam, 26, and Kieran, 24, who are both in the RAF have been very supportive too.
“I’m coming to the end of my training now and looking forward to the big day. I’ll get round on the day by texting people to keep me motivated and my family will be tracking me on the marathon’s tracker app.”
A field of around 38,000 competitors, including serious and fun runners, are expected to take part in the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Last year, Cancer Research UK’s Marathon team raised £1.6 million to help accelerate life-saving research.
But you don’t need to run 26 miles to help beat cancer sooner. The charity has a wide range of running events for all abilities, including half marathons and 10ks for men and women, as well as the women-only Race for Life 5k,10k and Pretty Muddy events.
And for women who have been inspired by the London Marathon and want a challenge, there’s the Race for Life Marathon and Half Marathon events in London and Nottinghamshire.
Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Cumbria, said: “It’s thanks to the support of people like Julie that we are able to go on making progress in the fight against cancer.
“There is still time for anyone who already has a place in the Virgin Money London Marathon to join our fantastic team of runners. Or if you are inspired by Julie’s experience why not try one of our other runs.
“Every day, around five people in Cumbria are diagnosed with cancer. Everyone who pulls on their trainers for Cancer Research UK will know every step they take brings us a step closer to winning the race against the disease.”
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend over £23 million in the North West last year on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
Work such as this is helping to turn discoveries made in the lab into better treatments for cancer patients in Cumbria and beyond.
Cancer Research UK is also looking for volunteers to help support its Virgin Money London Marathon team.
To sign up to run for the charity or volunteer on the day visit cruk.org/marathon.
To sponsor Julie, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julie-wagstafflondonmarathon2017