1. 20 | News
A
s anyone who has lost a loved one
knows, it is a pain that never goes
away, no matter how long has
passed.
For Coleraine mother Laura Walker, 23, the
death of her grandmother Jean from cancer
three years ago has led her, her mum and sister
to run the Race for Life to raise money to combat
the terrible disease. They hope that the money
they raise could prevent other families having to
go through the same heartbreak they’ve suffered.
Laura, her mother Roisin Walker, 41, and her
16 year old sister Gemma, are all running the 5K
Race for Life in Belfast on June 1 in memory of
the death of their loved one who died from bowel
cancer in 2011. Laura tells us why running this
race is so important to her and her family.
“We wanted to run this race to raise money
for Cancer Research UK so hopefully less people
have to suffer like my granny did. My granny
was a wonderful woman, always putting others
before herself. Not once did she ever complain
no matter how weak she was, or how much pain
she was in! She was an inspiration to my whole
family and will always have a special place in
my heart. She is still in my thoughts everyday
but I know she is in a better place watching over
us all.”
Over 300 Race for Life events are taking
place across the UK this year, with the ladies
completing the race by running, walking or even
dancing their way to the finish line. Laura and
her family have chosen to run their 5K, meaning
they had to put some work in to train up for the
event. Even though Laura is rushed off her feet
with her one-year-old daughter Freya, she still
has found the time to train for the event.
She says: “I wanted to make sure I was
prepared for the race so I decided to do some
proper training for it. My mum actually bought
us a treadmill for training so I’ve been using that
three times a day and also going for runs on
the beach. This is building up my stamina and
should hopefully make the race that wee bit
easier!”
If anyone would like to sponsor Laura, you
can visit her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.
com/laurawalker1207 and any donation will be
greatly appreciated by Laura and her family.
By Cheryl Cole
Laura Walker is
putting her best foot
forward for Cancer
Research UK by
running the Race
For Life in honour
of her beloved
grandmother Jean
‘She was an
inspiration
to my
whole
family’
Laura Walker, who
is running The Belfast
Marathon, pictured
with daughter Freya.
PICTURE MARK JAMIESON.
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