RETIRED office manager Tracey Barker spent her fourth wedding anniversary running a marathon lockdown style by completing laps of a small patch of land next to where she lives in Ingleton.
Tracey, 52, spent just more than six hours running 26.2 miles - 212 200 metre laps - and climbing a total of 800 metres, more than the height of Whernside, the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, to raise money for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.
Last year, she ran the 108-mile Edale to Hardraw Spine Flare Race to raise funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation in thanks for treatment her husband, retired biochemist Richard, had received at Rosemere Cancer Centre, the region’s specialist cancer treatment centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, following a diagnosis of skin cancer in 2015.
Tracey, who took up running a decade ago and who now enjoys taking part in long distance events, said: “We would usually celebrate our wedding anniversary with a long walk and going out for a meal in the evening.
“With that not being on this year, I thought I would come up with another way of making the day memorable.”
Neighbours, family and friends sponsored her to the tune of £215, which Tracey is to split equally between the two causes.
She added: “Throughout my marathon, Richard cheered me on from the sidelines and then we enjoyed a nice cold beer in the garden. I am very grateful to everyone who supported me. It made for a very special day.”
The Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated not only at Rosemere Cancer Centre but also at another eight hospital cancer units across the two counties, including those at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Westmorland General Hospital.
The charity funds cutting edge equipment, research, training and other cancer services and therapies that the NHS is unable to afford. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk
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