A brother and sister are taking part in the world’s first Kilomathon race this Mothering Sunday in the hope of raising £1,000 for cancer research in memory of their mum.
Maria Thomas, from Clifton, fought breast cancer for three years, but sadly passed away in August 2008. Now her son, Nik Walker, 31, from Nottingham city centre, and daughter, Sara Lomas, 29, from West Bridgford, are taking part in the Kilomathon to raise money for Nottingham University Hospitals Charity.
The Charity exists to support the work that takes place at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital campuses, where Sara and Nik’s mother was treated.
The pair aim to raise £1,000 towards cancer research at NUH, where Maria took part in a clinical trial to research new chemotherapy drugs, in the hope that new treatments would not only help her but others as well.
Sara said: “My brother and I decided to run the Kilomathon in aid of NUH Charity, to raise money for research into improving the diagnosis and optimising the treatment of cancer.
“Mum was very proud to have helped in the search for new cancer treatments and even went into the hospital to give a talk on her experience.”
The Kilomathon race is the metric version of a marathon, at 26 kilometres instead of 26 miles. The event starts in Nottingham at 9am on Sunday 14th March 2010 and finishes in Derby.
Maria went to watch Sara’s last sponsored run for cancer research just six weeks before she died. Sara said: “Despite her being in lots of pain and struggling to stand she stood in the crowd and cheered me on.”
Sara, who is also a mother herself, added: “Mum lived life to the full, never once complained about her illness, always smiled and selflessly did everything in her power to make sure everyone around her was happy.
“I cannot put into words how amazingly brave and inspirational Mum was. Her strength and determination will keep us both going this Sunday.”
To sponsor Sara and Nik go to www.justgiving.com/inspirational.
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