A PAIR of passionate Redditch runners are training hard for the Brighton marathon, spurred on in spirit by the loved ones they have lost to cancer.
Nichola Noel and Dan Allen have both lost members of their family to cancer and will be running the grueling 26 miles on April 9 in aid Cancer Research.
As well as training, the pair are working hard to drum up sponsorship money for their chosen charity Cancer Research, with a combined target of more than a thousand pounds between them.
Nichola, from Batchley, will be running in memory of her mum who she lost to cancer only last year: “I’m running for Cancer Research and for all the important work they do. Hopefully my actions will one day mean families do not have to go through the pain myself and my family have been through.
“As the day of the marathon creeps closer and closer, I must admit, I am starting to get pretty nervous. It’s a huge challenge, but I’m hopeful I can raise a good amount in memory of my mum.”
Personal trainer Dan lost his nan 13 years ago: “It was a tragic loss as she was the centre of the family. My nan and I were very close and so I decided I wanted to do something for her, “said the 25 year-old.
“To me, running a marathon is the only thing I can think of that might come close to the mental and emotional struggle my nan went through during her illness.
“Cancer affects so many people and I want to do my part to help fight it and eventually eradicate the disease all together.”
The energetic duo are also raising money for Primrose Hospice with a bake sale at Arrow Valley Run on April 1. Go to http://bit.ly/2nbh5bm for more information.
Visit http://bit.ly/2o3I6g6 and http://bit.ly/2o3Uahz to support Dan and Nichola.
