Cancer survivors prove there is hope

CHILDREN, parents and grandparents joined forces at the weekend to raise £35,000 – and show surviving cancer is possible.

Around 300 people - ranging from one-year-olds to those in their 80s - took part in the 24-hour Cancer Research Relay for Life.

Three-year-old Lewis Tideswell, and his dad Wayne Tideswell, both from Bilborough, helped kick off the relay as they took part in the 'survivors lap' at Harvey Hadden Sports Centre.

Lewis was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer, when he was six months old after doctors decided to test him because his dad had the same condition. Both are now in remission.

"When you get round to the finish line after the first lap it gives you goose bumps," said 41-year-old Wayne. "It gets very emotional, especially being able to do this with my son being well again. I'm really proud of him.

"The turnout is really encouraging. I think it shows there is a bridge at the other side."

About 70 survivors took part in the first lap - the highest number since the relay started in Nottingham four years ago.

A cannon signalled the start as survivors walked with their balloons for a tearful beginning.

The day was especially important for six-strong 'Beckie's Team', who cut the starting ribbon.

The girls, all dressed in pink, were taking part in memory of their friend Beckie Foster, who did the relay last year as a survivor, but died in November at the age of 17 when her cancer returned. The girls have known each other through nursery, infant and secondary school.

"Beckie got cancer when she was 15," said Danika George, 18. She coped really well, she was the bravest and loveliest person I've ever met. She even did her GCSEs at home and got As and Bs."

Laura Clarke, 18, added: "It's hard being here today but it's very inspiring to see all these people. It was Beckie's 18th on June 12 and we went up to her grave and dressed in pink and had pink champagne. Everyone loved her to bits. She was bubbly, she loved fashion and she loved pink."

About 20 tents were pitched in the middle of the track for the 19 teams taking part, who also donned costumes for the special laps during the weekend which included 'bad hair', 'Christmas' and 'pants'.

Andy Richmond, who was left with a broken neck, punctured lung and brain injury after a car accident last year, was one of the 60 members of the five 'Mark's Barmy Army' teams, taking part in memory of his stepson Mark Groves who died of cancer in 2005. This year the team smashed their £10k fund-raising target.

Jacqui Buxton, 59, of Bramcote, was doing the relay for the fourth year after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She said: "The first time we did this we had just a handful of survivors. There are four of us who do it every year. We don't see each other very often but we meet here and you can talk to people who have shared the same experiences as you who understand."

The relay started at 12pm on Saturday and finished at 12pm on Sunday.

It was organised by Steve Wright and his partner Gill Harris. Gill, 42, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and also did the relay in memory of her mother who died of the same cancer 30 years ago.

She said: "It's just my way of giving something back for the treatment I received that wasn't around 30 years ago when my mum had cancer.

"The money we raise goes directly to research. There is so much that is being done and if we can just give people hope .

"Kids should not be getting cancer."

claire.carter@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk