Leukaemia survivor Kirsty is a star

Posted by Simon Honeysett on Jul 14, 08 10:20 AM in News

Kirsty and Chloe Foster A SPECIAL guest was on hand yesterday to start - and then take part in - a charity run which will raise thousands of pounds in the fight against cancer.

Brave five-year-old Kirsty Foster from Ashington (pictured left with sister Chloe), who has survived leukaemia, sounded the horn at the beginning of the Cancer Research Race for Life in Newcastle's Exhibition Park.

In the first of two races during the day, 2,235 women set off on the 5km route. For the afternoon race a further 2,225 women took part, all of whom had worked hard to raise money for the charity.

Many of the runners had lost relatives to the disease or were survivors themselves.

Before the start, Kirsty's mother Alison Peart, 37, who was also running, spoke of her happiness at her daughter's recovery.

Ms Peart said: "She was just two years old when she was diagnosed and it was devastating for us all. But she responded to the chemotherapy.

"I'm really delighted that Kirsty is starting Race for Life, with help from her big sister Chloe. Taking part in the race is a great way for us to thank the doctors and nurses who treated Kirsty.

"It was the worst time of our lives and we would never have got through it without their support."

Among the many runners was Lynne Stobbart, 43, of Warton Terrace in Heaton, Newcastle, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year.

She said: "I'm currently undergoing chemotherapy and I wasn't going to run today but lots of my colleagues at Newcastle University were doing it so I thought I would.

"It is obviously devastating to be diagnosed with the disease but hopefully I can help raise money and awareness and make a difference to the treatment of cancer in the future."

And Jaclyn Younger, 28, of Wallsend was running because her mother Lyn had breast cancer.

She said: "My mum recovered and is here today to support me.

"She received great care and hopefully I can raise some money today and give something back to the people who helped her."

The first finisher of the morning race was 38-year-old Louise Hayes, of Park Parade in Whitley Bay.

She said: "My mother-in-law had cancer so I was running today for her.

"People were all really friendly along the course and I'm delighted to have finished first.

"I used to run a lot before I had children."

Julia Haran of Cancer Research UK, said: "This year we had the most people ever for a Race for Life in the North East. The atmosphere was just tremendous, it was just so emotional, seeing all the people here is just amazing, everyone has made such an effort.

"We have people in fancy dress and loads of people wearing pink, it has just been a great day."

Organisers said they hoped to raise ÃÂ£240,000 from both races.

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