Beth ran to say thanks
A Ryedale medical student was inspired to raise money for us because of the help we gave her family after her mum was diagnosed with cancer.
Beth Rose went to our Filey respite house with mum Fiona and other family members to give Fiona a break from tough chemotherapy treatment. The family's pictured here, below, outside the house.
Fiona also used services offered through the York Cancer Care Centre, the unit we established at York Hospital through a fundraising campaign with The Press newspaper.
“Mum has really benefited from the things that York Against Cancer offered,” said Beth. “We couldn’t go away the summer after her diagnosis so it was so nice to be able to get to Filey – we had a fantastic time there.”
Here's another picture, of the family on the beach at Filey.
Beth wasn’t a serious runner, but just before Christmas last year she and a friend decided to raise money for charity in honour of Fiona, through trying to run a half marathon.
Beth applied and got a ballot place with the Great North Run, meaning she could raise money for a charity of her choice. “I chose York Against Cancer because I wanted to do it for a charity closer to us rather than for a national charity,” she said. “The charity has been a great support to my family over the past few years, so I am really grateful to be able to give something back.”
Beth also entered the York 10K and training was going well when coronavirus broke out and the pandemic eventually led to the cancellation of both runs.
Beth decided instead to participate in the virtual Great North Run in September, accompanied by friends on her 13.1-mile route around Wilton, Aislaby and Pickering. Here's Beth, second left, with mum Fiona after she completed her run. Also pictured are Beth's sisters Imogen and Alice, who joined her for part of the challenge..
“All the neighbours came out and made a finishing line for me with balloons, and mum was there to give me a hug when I got over the line. It was really nice.”
Beth notched up a time of 2hr 32min and has so far raised more than £2,600 through her JustGiving page, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/beth-rose5. Other gifts have been made separately to York Against Cancer to boost her fundraising further.
“I was really touched by the response I had,” said Beth. It made all the pain and blisters worthwhile.”
Fiona continues to live with bowel cancer. Beth remains in training and her race places have been kept open for her, so she is determined to take part in the actual York 10K and Great North Run next year.
Beth said: “I have transferred my entry to the Great North Run to 2021, and really look forward to raising more money for this invaluable charity, in support of my amazing mum.”