Hillmorton woman inspires Rugbeians to carry on fundraising events at home after losing her mother to cancer

Lucy Burton, 22, first took part in the 5k event with her mum Kerry when she was just ten.

Shortly afterwards Kerry was diagnosed with breast cancer and struggled with the disease three more times before she died in February 2018.

In 2016 Kerry very nearly succeeded in recruiting the biggest ever Race for Life team in the history of the Cancer Research UK event.

Now, as hundreds of events have been postponed across the UK amid the Covid-19 outbreak, Lucy has vowed to follow in her mum’s footsteps and carry on regardless.

She will join hundreds of undeterred women and men who have pledged to carry on and complete a Race for Life at Home challenge at home, in their garden or their nearest green space.

Lucy has chosen to train for a 5k run while others have pledged to take on a variety of challenges from hula hooping to climbing stairs.

Lucy said: “Mum was passionate about supporting Race for Life and Cancer Research UK.

"She lived life to the full and wanted to do everything she could to help beat cancer for good one day.

“Coronavirus wouldn’t have stopped her doing Race for Life and it won’t stop me.”

Kerry, from Hillmorton, was successfully treated for the disease three times over the years before it returned for the fourth and final time in August 2016.

The determined mum of two underwent another 18 months of treatment, even filming herself having chemotherapy on a video that went viral to help raise more awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK.

Kerry died on February 13, 2018, just before her 47th birthday.

Lucy said: “Without events and fundraising for Cancer Research UK, mum would not have had those precious extra years with us so I’m eternally grateful for everyone who works for the charity, carries out the research and fundraises for such a great cause.

“My mum was my best friend and we did everything, including Race for Life, together. She was the most brave and inspiring person with such a positive attitude.”

Thanks to the generosity of people across Warwickshire and the West Midlands, Race for Life participants last year raised over £1.5 million for vital research to develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer – a disease that will affect one-in-two people in the UK at some stage in their lives.

Many of the scientists and researchers funded by Cancer Research UK are currently being redeployed to help in the fight against Covid-19, including assisting with testing.

By helping to beat the virus, the charity can lessen the impact it is having on the care of cancer patients.

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for Warwickshire, said: “We’re so grateful to Lucy for her support.

"At a time when it feels like everything is at a standstill, there is one thing that hasn’t stopped, cancer.

“Our priority as a charity is ensuring that people affected by cancer are getting the support they need right now.

"But it’s truly humbling to see the response we are getting from people who want to join Race for Life at Home because they don’t want to see the charity lose out on vital funding.

“From a run or 5K walk around the garden to a limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home.

"With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, limbo, star jump, squat, skip, dance, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends.

"The message is very much that, while we might be apart, we’re doing this together. Whatever people decide to do, we’re immensely grateful for their support, now more than ever.”

People can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how they can create their own Race for Life at Home challenge.

And the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook page will help people feel energised with weekly live workout sessions.

Organisers are also inviting participants to join the Race for Life at Home community by sharing photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #RaceForLifeAtHome.

Organisers of Race for Life are still planning to host the event later in the year at Rugby School but the date has yet to be announced.

Participants who had already signed up to a postponed event can automatically transfer their entry fee.

For more information visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770. Join in and share with #RaceForLifeAtHome