A REDDITCH charity worker, who was a child when her mum battled cancer twice, is calling on women and girls across the region to extend their Mother’s Day celebrations by signing up for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
Katy Barley, aged 26, Race for Life event manager for Redditch, was only 11 years-old when mum Sally Barley was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The experience inspired Katy to work for Cancer Research UK, raising money for research into the disease. And 60-year-old Sally is so proud of her daughter she takes part in a local Race for Life event every year to support the cause.
Now the passionate pair are urging women across the region to celebrate the special bond between mums and daughters by taking part in a Race for Life event together.
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raise millions of pounds every year to help fund life-saving research.
This year, Redditch Race for Life 5k takes place on Sunday June 12 at 11am at Arrow Valley Park.
Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in May 2002, when Katy was only 11 years old. After being diagnosed again in August 2003 Sally was treated with radiotherapy. She is now clear of cancer but still goes for regular check-ups.
Katy, who organises Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events in Birmingham, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull and Redditch, added: “Mother’s Day means so much to me now because of my mum’s courageous battle with cancer. I’m so grateful that my mum has survived cancer. She is by my side for the really important things in my life.”
To enter Race for Life’s 5k,10k or Pretty Muddy events in the Midlands, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.
