WATCH: Sisters Race for Life at Home in 70s-style spoof video to cheer up mum who has cancer

A fundraiser has teamed up with her sisters to jog, skip and scooter 126 miles for Race for Life at Home in support of their mum who has cancer.

Paula Young from Fradley, Lichfield, will join sisters Andrea Fiford and Jan Hughes, along with thousands of people from across the UK who have all vowed to run, walk or jog 5k on April 24 to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

The virtual event will mark the start of a mammoth 126-mile fitness campaign for the trio who have pledged to jog, skip and scooter their way to their mum’s home in Retford, Nottinghamshire by the time she finishes treatment for cancer in June.

To kick off their fundraising in style, the ladies have created a ‘Charlie’s Angel’s’ inspired comedy video using water guns and Race for Life merchandise.#

Paula, who works in the media relations team for Cancer Research UK, said: “We were devastated when mum was diagnosed with cancer in February, especially as lockdown meant we couldn’t go and see her. We’ve had to get used to seeing each other virtually so we thought, why not do Race for Life virtually?

“We’re all very close and we would normally have spent a lot of time together during the past year so we decided instead to add up all the miles it would take to walk to mum’s from each of our houses.”

Paula’s mum Carole Dyson was diagnosed with Malt Lymphoma in February after scans showed suspicious nodules in her stomach. Malt Lymphoma is a form of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma - a type of blood cancer - that presents in the stomach.

“At first we thought it was stomach cancer so when we were told it was a treatable type of lymphoma it was a relief,” added Paula.

“But she still needed some quite intense chemotherapy so it’s been tough watching her get so poorly with it.

“Mum has always been there for us and all of her many friends so the video idea was our tribute to her energy and a way of bringing a smile to her face.

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“We grew up in the 70s so we’ve taken inspiration from shows like Charlie’s Angels and Wonder Woman.”

Carole, a 75-year-old retired youth worker with three daughters and six grandchildren, said: “I’m so proud of my three angels. Their video is amazing and I got quite emotional watching it.

“When I was diagnosed my first thought was that I’m not ready to go yet. But the care I’ve had from the haematology team at Doncaster Royal Infirmary has been absolutely brilliant.

"I feel so secure in their care and nothing has been too much for them. I’m confident that this time next year I’ll be fit enough to join in the Race for Life myself.”

All 400 mass-participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the pandemic. And events that were scheduled for this spring and early summer have also now been postponed. This includes Race for Life 3K and 5K events which had been due to take place across Birmingham and the Black Country.

This charity is predicting a staggering £300 million drop in income caused by Covid-19 over the next three years.

“Covid-19 has slowed us down,” said Paula. “But we will never stop and we’re absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow.

“Our video aims to show people that, even though we’re still apart, we can unite against cancer.

“We hope it encourages people to sign up to Race for Life at Home this April and then physically come together at our events in the autumn.

“We’re constantly monitoring the Covid-19 situation and are working hard to move our mass participation Race for Life events to the autumn and to make sure they can go ahead safely and with all necessary Covid-19 guidelines in place.”

A live broadcast on the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook and Race for Life Instagram pages on Saturday, April 24 will include an energiser from a fitness expert as well as inspirational messages of support from people who have been through cancer.

Participants are then invited to run, walk or jog 5K. Organisers are also inviting participants to share photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #RaceatHome