2:44pm Friday 9th May 2008
By Dale Haslam
PUSHING yourself to the finish line in a 5k run can be a tough ask, but kindhearted Lauren Bottomley has got all the inspiration she needs.
The 25-year-old, of Hilton Crescent, Prestwich will be taking part in the annual Race For Life charity run around Heaton Park on May 31 in memory of her mum Veronica Nixon, who died of cancer last year, aged 47.
Despite having cervical cancer, Veronica took part in the run in 2005, but she was too sick to join in with the 2006 event.
This will be the first year since that loving daughter Lauren has taken to the course. She will be joined by her sister Rachel and several other friends and family, raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Lauren, who works for a finance company in Manchester, said: "We all have t-shirts with her picture on and I'm going to wear the Race For Life t-shirt she wore when she took part in 2005.
"We just hope that by raising as much money as possible we can help other families having to go through the same heartache we did."
Veronica was diagnosed with cervical cancer in November 2004. The mum-of-three had a hysterectomy and chemotherapy and she made good progress.
But a routine check up a year after the initial diagnosis revealed the cancer had spread and Veronica had further chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Veronica, who lived in Heywood, and was married to Pete Nixon, then faced yet more surgery, undergoing an operation to remove her bladder and her bowel in November 2006. Her health continued to deteriorate and she became very poorly.
Veronica spent her last few days in hospital. She died on March 16, 2007 at home surrounded by her loved ones.
Lauren said: "When we were first told mum had cancer, we were all completely knocked for six. I just always thought my mum would be there no matter what. It has been an extremely difficult couple of years, but we are a close family and we have all been there for one another.
"When my mum and I ran the Race For Life in 2005, it was a really emotional day, but lovely to do it with her by my side. She wasn't well enough to take part in 2006, but she still came along to cheer us all on."
She added: "I want to urge as many women as possible to join me by signing up to take part in Race for Life this year and help raise money for Cancer Research UK."
Lauren said she would like readers to make a donation to the charity directly rather than sponsor her.
There are several Race For Life events taking place across Greater Manchester including Heaton Park on May 31 and June 1, Oldham on June 15, Tatton Park on June 21 and 22, Stockport on July 13 and Bolton on July 20.
To register for Race For Life visit www.raceforlife.
org/northwest or call the hotline 0871 641 2276.
It is hoped that the 262 races across the UK will raise £50 million for Cancer Research UK's work into the prevention, treatment and cures for cancer.
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