A walk in the park for colourful Marie
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date published: 21 June 2010
ALL set . . . Marie is ready for Race for Life
A DETERMINED fund-raiser is lacing up her walking shoes to join 1,500 other women already signed up for Oldham’s Race for Life.
Kind-hearted Marie Barton (52) is taking part in the Alexandra Park event after three family members died from cancer.
She has already raised £200 for the event’s charity, Cancer Research UK — exceeding her £150 target.
Marie, of Sixth Avenue, Limeside, recently lost her 54-year-old sister-in-law to breast cancer, the same disease which killed her mother 23 years ago. Her father-in-law died from bowel cancer nine years ago.
Marie, who has two daughters, Sarah (31) and Victoria (22), and two sons Matthew (28) and Andrew (25) is also a grandmother-of-three.
She has never taken part in Race for Life before but says she is dressing up especially for the event: “I’ve got pink shorts, a Race for Life T-shirt, and I’ll be wearing pink bunny ears and fairy wings!
“I want to raise money to help buy better equipment to fight the disease.
“I’ve had a mammogram and I will have one every three years to check for breast cancer, because of my mum. I want to make people aware how important early diagnosis is.
“If you find anything, get to the doctors. It could be nothing but get it checked out.”
Marie says she walks a lot and is not doing special training for the three-mile event on July 18, adding: “I’m not setting myself a time, just taking part and doing it is enough.”
Rachel Hewitt, North-West event manager for Race for Life, said: “Race for Life is not a competitive event. It’s about women of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels coming together to help beat cancer. They can walk, jog or run the course and revel in Race for Life’s unique atmosphere of sisterhood.”
In 2009, 2,635 Oldham women walked, jogged or ran Race for Life and raised an incredible £128,575. This year, more than 1,525 participants have already signed up and organisers are hoping that 2,500 women will help hit a fundraising target of £118,800.
To enter, visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0871-641 1111.
