Team from Tesco in Leyland ready to take aRace for Life hike to honour colleague

A team of ladies are getting ready for their fifteenth Cancer Research UK Race for Life event to honour one of their colleagues who lost her battle with the illness three years ago.
Tesco Leyland staff to take on Race for Life in WiganTesco Leyland staff to take on Race for Life in Wigan
Tesco Leyland staff to take on Race for Life in Wigan
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A total of 56 women from the Tesco store in Towngate Leyland, will take part in the Race for Life Wigan 5k at Haigh Hall tonight.

Lynn Franklin, Sue Barker and Amanda Mcloughlin, from Tesco Leyland Filling Station who will be taking on the Race for Life Hike around Hadrian's WallLynn Franklin, Sue Barker and Amanda Mcloughlin, from Tesco Leyland Filling Station who will be taking on the Race for Life Hike around Hadrian's Wall
Lynn Franklin, Sue Barker and Amanda Mcloughlin, from Tesco Leyland Filling Station who will be taking on the Race for Life Hike around Hadrian's Wall

And three members of staff from the store’s petrol station – Lynn Franklin, Sue Barker and Amanda Mcloughlin - will take on Race for Life Hike – a 22.7 mile walk around Hadrian’s Wall on Saturday June 9.

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Jean Bolton, the store’s community champion, led the charge after losing colleagues and family to the disease over the years.

Jean says: “We’ve been taking part in Race for Life since the store opened in 2002 as Tesco sponsor the event and the numbers taking part have grown and grown every year.

“This year we’ve had to hire a double decker bus to get us all to Haigh Hall and back. We usually do Preston but this year we decided to do Haigh Hall for a change and we even have three brave members of staff from the filling station taking on the 22-mile Hadrian’s Wall Hike too.

Tracy Alty, who died of bowel cancer in 2015 and her son Alfie BoltonTracy Alty, who died of bowel cancer in 2015 and her son Alfie Bolton
Tracy Alty, who died of bowel cancer in 2015 and her son Alfie Bolton

“We’ve done a big campaign in store turning the store pink for the weekend and doing collections and are determined to spread the word.

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“Very sadly we lost one of our check-out staff, Tracy Alty Bolton, to cancer in August 2015.

“She was 38 years old and, unfortunately, we all know people, family and friends who have had cancer. I’ve lost my niece Jeanette Flint to cancer. She passed away in 2016 and was 52 years of age.”

Jean and her colleagues are now calling for more women of all shapes and sizes to sign up to the charity run and stand alongside her to help beat the disease by entering the Race for Life 5k/10k/Pretty Muddy.

Race For Life event, Haigh, WiganRace For Life event, Haigh, Wigan
Race For Life event, Haigh, Wigan

Jean adds: “We were all so proud to join the fight at Race for Life and we’re proof that women of all ages and abilities can take on the challenge.

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“It’s always a fantastic day and a really lovely atmosphere. Everyone is supportive, giving each other hugs and really, friendly. There’s a great camaraderie – it has a bit of everything. I often come last but it doesn’t matter it’s all about taking part.”

Every day, 110 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West and one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Marathon and Hiking events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner by funding crucial research.

Race for Life logo 2018Race for Life logo 2018
Race for Life logo 2018

Sarah Hunter, Cancer Research UK’s Preston events manager, says: “We’d like to thank Jean and all the staff at Tesco Leyland for their incredible commitment to the cause over the past 15 years.

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“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to the women of Preston, Leyland and Lancashire, just like Jean and her colleagues, running, jogging or walking at Race for Life. Our participants play a crucial role in helping to turn discoveries made in the lab into better treatments for patients in the North West and across the UK and we rely on their continued support.

“Race for Life events are non-competitive and participants can choose to walk, jog or run around the course. Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. By taking part in Race for Life, women in Lancashire could help more people survive the disease. Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more women who Race for Life - the sooner that day will come.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, is in partnership with Tesco.

Pretty Muddy events for both children and adults will be held at Moor Park, in Preston, on Saturday June 16. Pretty Muddy Kids is now full, but there are spaces available in Blackpool for September 22.

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A 5k and 10k Race for Life event will be held at Moor Park on Sunday June 17. The events are open to women and girls from age 13.

The entry fee is £19.99 for adults and £10 for girls under 16.

To enter visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0300 1230770.