Advertiser friends team up to tackle Great Birmingham Run for Cancer Research UK (From Redditch Advertiser)

Advertiser friends team up to tackle Great Birmingham Run for Cancer Research UK

8:40am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News

TWO friends will be donning their running shoes and preparing to take part in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run in aid of a charity very close to their hearts.

 

Suzanne Smith, from Bromsgrove, a sales executive for the Advertiser, and Heather Whyley, from Redditch, who works at Aroq, Bromsgrove, and who also formerly worked for the Advertiser, will be participating in the run on October 21 in aid of Cancer Research UK.

In 2010, Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had six runs of chemotherapy, four weeks of radiotherapy and a lumpectomy. She will now have treatment for the next four years, to make sure her cancer does not return.

“Cancer Research UK does an absolutely amazing job,” she said. “Who of us hasn’t been touched by cancer in some way? I want to do my bit to help them find a cure.

“I had considered doing the run, but I was worried as I have only even done smaller 5km ones in the past, but when my friends Jamie and Steph Grasby said they were doing it, I decided to just go for it.”

And Suzanne said: “It was something I had also considered but wasn’t sure about. When Heather told me she was doing it, and that she was doing it for Cancer Research UK, that made my mind up.

“So often you hear of someone you know, or someone you’re somehow connected to, being told they have cancer. Even raising a small amount of money for Cancer Research UK can make a big difference.”

Heather is also taking the opportunity to talk about something else very close to her heart - the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

She said: “I know first-hand what that hospital means to people, and how hard the nurses work. I also know how difficult it is to traipse over to Worcester for treatment.

"Our services at the Alex need protecting. To lose them would be appalling.”

To sponsor the women, visit justgiving.com/heather-whyley or justgiving.com/soozy-smith.