Page 13 - Inspire Magazine

self-conscious in shorts. I used to wear two tops, so
you couldn’t see my bum in the Lycra! But I didn’t
need to worry; everyone was lovely. They nurtured
me, pushed me and became my running family.

I ran my fi rst 10k race in under an hour. Silverstone
for my fi rst half marathon. I was in a state of shock
after that event, that my legs were not only capable of
running but they could carry me a whole 13.1 miles!

I ran my fi rst marathon in 2015 and, this year, was
lucky enough to run the London Marathon in Liz’s
memory. I think about Liz every day and what she I’m not the slimmest or the quickest but I am extremely
would think of my achievements. thankful that I am able to get up, get out and run. There
are people suffering from lung cancer right now who
“Running never gets easy but, would give anything to just walk to the end of their

with practi ce, you get bett er street. So, I get on with it. I do it so something good can
come from the loss my family and I suffered.
at it. It is a gift .” Running never gets easy but, with practice, you get

better at it. It is a gift. I remember going to Whitby with
My advice to anyone who thinks they can’t run is just my family. We were stuck in traffi c and there was a sign
try! Running is free and can be done anywhere by saying we were 16 miles away. My then seven-year-old
anyone. Just run for fi ve minutes in any direction from shouted “Dad, stop the car! Drop mum here, she can
your front door and then run back. Boom! Done! run 16 miles!” How right he was!”

something special and challenging, for Laura’s ten-year
anniversary. We chose this route because it would
challenge us physically and mentally, but it’s nothing
Walking is a great way for everyone to raise
money for those affected by lung cancer – and compared to what Laura went through.”
something you can do anywhere.
Walking through baking sunshine, as well as suffering
quite a few blisters, the group were motived by the
‘Your Walk’ is a wonderful way to remember a
loved one or show support to someone living people they met and support they received throughout
with lung cancer. It doesn’t need to be a big their trek.
gathering or a countrywide trek, it’s personal
to you. It’s special. It’s your walk.

Walking for Laura
In 2008, 24-year-old Laura MacKenzie passed away
from lung cancer. Since then, Laura’s family and
friends, aka ‘Pink MacKenzie’, have continued to
fundraise in Laura’s memory and this year they
walked 140 miles from Hull to our Head Offi ce in “We were absolutely shattered by the end but
Liverpool. incredibly overwhelmed by the generosity of folk;
we managed to raise over £4,000! We want to thank
“There have been many charity events,” explains every one who has given their time or money to
Laura’s step-mum, Lindsay, “but we wanted to do help us on our adventure. We are truly humbled!”

Find your perfect event. Visit: www.roycastle.org/events INSPIRE 2018

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