Charity’s loss is another’s gain

David Thomas and the fundraisers — from left, Naomi Leach, Julie Smith, Stacey Arnold, Mandy Thomas, Karen Smith and Eve Darin

A FAMILY who fought and lost a battle to get Oldham’s Race for Life reinstated when charity bosses cancelled it, have raised a massive £2,700 for another charity.

Julie Smith and her fellow walkers were stunned when Cancer Research UK halted plans to hold a Race for Life event in Alexandra Park.

The charity brought the axe down several weeks before the July 6 event was due to take place, saying with only 465 women registered, it wasn’t cost effective.

Julie, of Vulcan Street, Derker, launched a campaign with family members and friends to get it reinstated, and collected a 1,400-name petition calling for the charity to make a U-turn.

But Cancer Research UK refused to budge, and Julie and her team finally had to admit defeat.

Their own fundraising walk around Alexandra Park took place at the weekend, and the proceeds will go to boost the funds of Kidney Cancer UK.

A delighted Julie said: “We raised a staggering £2,700.

“The six girls who were originally going to do the Oldham Race For Life started the day with a 5k event at Alexandra Park.

“A big well-done to Stacey Arnold, who is six months pregnant and still took part, and also to my brother, David Thomas, who did the walk with us only nine months after having surgery.”

David got support from Kidney Cancer UK when he underwent surgery to remove a kidney tumour, and hosted a barbecue at his home after the walk. Fundraising continued there, with a raffle, a sponsored headshave for Karen Smith, and a leg wax for Danny Arnold, who bravely volunteered for a further chest and tummy wax!

Julie explained: “We were so disappointed when we were let down by the Race For Life in Oldham being cancelled.

“However, we did not let this affect our aim to raise money, so we decided to put our efforts into the charity that helped my brother.

“The BBQ had already been arranged by David as a thank-you to people who had helped him and his wife through his recent illness, so we decided to use this opportunity to also raise funds.

“A big thanks to everybody that made this day possible, and to the Chronicle for all the support given to us from start to finish.”