Tributes paid to brave Redditch runner who died after cancer battle

Marathon runner Lizzie Tovey, aged 47, continued to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support whilst her health deteriorated last year.

Lizzie was diagnosed with an aggressive inflammatory triple negative breast cancer in February.

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.

Lizzie’s friend Sonia Tudor became her practical and emotional support buddy through Macmillan following her diagnosis.

Sonia says she was with Lizzie and her husband Mark when she died on Boxing Day.

She told The Advertiser: “I’m absolutely heartbroken. It is a huge loss for us.

“She was absolutely lovely – a really beautiful person inside and out.

“She was remarkable, kind, caring and a great friend to be with. She had an incredible sense of humour.

“She loved baking and she loved life. She did not want it to end. But sadly her cancer was so aggressive and with all the different treatments, nothing was touching it."

Sonia Tudor and Lizzie Tovey

Sonia ran alongside Lizzie in charity events, recently taking part in their own 26.2 mile lockdown marathon.

Lizzie also fundraised for the Royal National Institute of Blind People after she started losing her sight in her thirties.

A spokesperson for Macmillan Cancer Support said: "We are so saddened to hear the news that Lizzie has passed away.

"Her strength, courage and determination has been a great source of inspiration for us.

"To continue to raise money for Macmillan when she was so unwell herself is simply astonishing.

"Her story will forever be imprinted in our minds and our hearts, reminding us why our work and the people we support are so very important.

"Sending our very best wishes to her husband, Mark, and her amazing Macmillan Buddy, Sonia, who I have no doubt will miss her very greatly."