THOUSANDS of mud-spattered fundraisers splashed their way through Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy obstacle course in Swansea with one goal in mind – to raise vital funds to help beat cancer.
Around 2,500 children, men and women faced a range of fun and muddy obstacles to crawl under, clamber over and charge through for the 5k event at Singleton Park last weekend (Saturday 20 July.)
The event, which is expected to raise more than £75,000, will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.
One of the participants was 33-year-old Aaron Harris from Trebanos in the Swansea Valley, who took part in memory of his younger sister, Jade, who died from cervical cancer when she was 22.
He said: “I’m taking part for my sister who passed away in 2015. She had cervical cancer and we thought she’d beaten it but it later spread to her lungs.
“My partner has been taking part for a number of years and as the event opened up to men this year I couldn’t wait to sign up.
“It’s a great family event and we’re really pleased to be doing something positive in my sister’s memory.”
Claire Riordan from Mumbles took part with a group of family and friends for her husband who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
She said: “This is the first time I have taken part in the event. I wanted to do it for my husband and also for my friend with breast cancer who is taking part today.
“We have been training together and we all plan to shuffle along to raise funds for this great cause.”
Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work relies on the public’s support. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity was able to spend around £4 million last year in Wales on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research – helping more men, women and children survive.
Katie Cooze, Cancer Research UK’s event manager for Swansea, said: “Every muddy step taken will help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
“Every day, around 52 people are diagnosed with cancer in Wales. Money raised – whether it’s £10 or £100 – will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives.”
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 women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Half Marathon events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding vital research.
To enter Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
