A CANCER crusader’s seventh successive fundraising relay will have special poignancy this year after the disease claimed her own beloved mother’s life.
Tireless Ann Walsh, a teacher at Epinay School in Jarrow, has raised more than £200,000 organising Relay For Life events at Jarrow’s Monkton Stadium since 2007.
But this year’s fundraiser, for 22 hours from 11am on Saturday, July 13 to 9am the following day, will have particular significance.
In September last year, her mother, Margaret Cook, 76, lost her battle with bowel cancer. That followed the death of her father, George, from lung cancer in 2007. Meanwhile, her sister Julie Cook is still waiting to receive the all-clear, five years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Knowing from personal experience the devastating impact cancer can have on families has doubled Mrs Walsh’s determination to push ahead with her charity work.
She said: “I am the only member of my immediate family not to have been diagnosed with cancer – it has hit us particularly hard and really brings it home.
“This year’s event will be especially emotional for me after my mam’s death.”
July’s Relay For Life event has already attracted 29 teams, who will set up tents through the night and take to the running track to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Mrs Walsh, 54, from East Boldon, said: “This time last year we only had 13 teams, so we are well ahead of schedule. Our theme is a ‘summer Christmas’, and people are really engaging by keeping decorations handy from Christmas and New Year .
“Tents will be decorated and there will be lots of Santa’s snowmen, elf costumes, a rodeo reindeer, a snow machine and Christmas games and carols.
“Last year we raised £33,000, which surpassed our expectations, because we were competing against the Olympics at the time.
“This year we again are inviting cancer survivors and carers to come and sign up for this magnificent community event.”
As always, this year’s relay will feature a candlelight vigil at 10pm to remember all those affected by cancer.
To register a team Google ‘Jarrow Relay’ or go to the link http://tinyurl.com/ctxbrss
Alternatively, contact Mrs Walsh direct at annwalsh11@aol.com
Twitter: @shieldsgazpaul
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