A TERMINAL cancer patient from Redditch, who is partially sighted, is set to take on a marathon during chemotherapy.

A running group of 14 from the town will show their support for people living with cancer by taking on a 26 mile challenge next month, including one member who has recently been given a terminal diagnosis.

Lizzie Tovey, aged 47, was diagnosed with an aggressive inflammatory triple negative breast cancer in February 2020.

In April, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to Lizzie’s spine, sternum and lymphnodes in her throat, under her arms and in her neck and chest. This has had a significant impact on Lizzie’s prognosis.

Even though Lizzie is currently receiving chemotherapy for her illness, she is determined to complete the marathon within a 24 hour period.

Because Lizzie is partially sighted, she will be guided throughout the run. The group of runners have even decided to incorporate Lizzie’s name into their team name by referring to themselves as the Positivalizzie running group.

So far, the running group has raised over £2,000 for Macmillan. People can donate to the Posativalizzie running team by visiting www.justgiving.com/team/POSATIVALIZZIE

Lizzie and her fellow runners will set off from the Mailbox in Birmingham and finish back in Redditch to fulfil the 26.2 mile course they would have completed had the London Marathon taken place.

Lizzie said: ‘My prognosis is terrible and I am often in a lot of pain. Despite that, I am determined to keep as fit and healthy as I can for as long as I can.

"Being diagnosed and having treatment during a global pandemic has been a challenge because appointments with consultants have been phone rather than face-to-face and a lot of support service have stopped so you feel very isolated.

"Macmillan have been a huge source of support. Right at the start of my diagnosis, I was paired up with a Macmillan buddy. My buddy is the amazing Sonia and we just happen to share a love of running. Normally, we would’ve been able to meet up each week but because of lockdown, we couldn’t do that. Instead, we skyped and chatted and it’s been an enormous help to me."

Lizzie will complete the course with support from fellow runners Ian Widdows, Paula Widdows, Zoe Newman, Mick Clay, Cassie Webb, Linda Beresford, Karen B Lee, Steph Faye Grasby, Mindy Jones, Chelsea Jones, Steve Taggart, Tony Downes, Mellissa Wood, Dean Cockerill and her Macmillan Buddy, Sonia Tudors.

Sonia Tudor, who will be running alongside Lizzie, said: "I am so proud of Lizzie for taking on this challenge and I am so grateful to all the other runners who will be joining me to cheer her on the whole way."

Sarah Diston, Area Fundraising Manager for Macmillan, said, ‘Lizzie is a real inspiration for wanting to take on this challenge whilst receiving treatment. We are really blown away by her courage and determination as well as the kindness and generosity of her fellow runners."