I’m taking part in Race For Life Pretty Muddy in honour of my late headteacher mum

‘This was a race we used to do in honour of her mum and her best friend’.
By Emma Downey
Published 25th Apr 2024, 15:32 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A daughter who lost her headteacher mum to cancer will be taking part in her first Race for Life Pretty Muddy challenge without her.

Jessica Clayton, 22, whose mum and former Gillibrand Primary School headteacher Ashley Clayton, 55, passed away last December in St. Catherine's Hospice shortly after being diagnosed with brain cancer, is taking part in honour of her. She said: “I’m taking part in Race For Life Pretty Muddy in honour of my mum.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
An early picture of Jessica Clayton, 22, and her late mum and former Gillibrand Primary School headteacher Ashley Clayton, 55, taking part a Race For Life.An early picture of Jessica Clayton, 22, and her late mum and former Gillibrand Primary School headteacher Ashley Clayton, 55, taking part a Race For Life.
An early picture of Jessica Clayton, 22, and her late mum and former Gillibrand Primary School headteacher Ashley Clayton, 55, taking part a Race For Life.

Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire directly to your phone

Sign up for our free newsletters now

READ MORE:

“She passed away in December due to brain cancer and this was a race we used to do in honour of her mum and her best friend who both passed away from cancer.

Ashley Clayton, 55, passed away on December 29, 2023, in St. Catherine's Hospice.Ashley Clayton, 55, passed away on December 29, 2023, in St. Catherine's Hospice.
Ashley Clayton, 55, passed away on December 29, 2023, in St. Catherine's Hospice.

“I want to race as much awareness and money to help those who are in the position me and my family once was.”

Jess with her mum.Jess with her mum.
Jess with her mum.

Jessica, who is a garage service advisor will be accompanied on the race by her friend Codie Quinn. She added: “15 years ago me and my mum did this race for her mum, my nanny, who also had brain cancer and leukemia.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I want to raise awareness about cancer and raise money to help those families going through what my family have been through.

Jess (far right) will be taking part in this year's Race For Life with her friend Codie. Jess (far right) will be taking part in this year's Race For Life with her friend Codie.
Jess (far right) will be taking part in this year's Race For Life with her friend Codie.

“My mum was so bubbly and cared for everyone including her pupils.

“She was quite loud but we loved her. She was an amazing woman.”

Jessica and her dad Dean will also be undertaking a Moonlight and Memories Walk for St Catherine’s Hospice on Saturday, June 22, for those who have lost loved ones. To make a donation to Jessica’s Race For Life Pretty Muddy Preston 5k which will take place on Saturday, June 8, click HERE.

Related topics:CancerBrain cancerMoney

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.