TWO Blackburn sisters are preparing to take on their sixth Race for Life event in honour of their

mum who died from bowel cancer when they were just 17 and 16-years-old.

Grace and Molly Jameson, from Wilpshire, Blackburn, have taken part in Blackburn Race for Life at Witton Park for the last five years – at first before their mum Helen was diagnosed, then while she was undergoing treatment for cancer and now in her memory. 

This year they have decided to do Race for Life Pretty Muddy – a 5k mud-splashed obstacle course over in Preston - which will see them tackle mud shuts, tunnels and space hoppers!

The sisters are encouraging women of all ages and abilities to follow their lead and sign up to a

Race for Life event which raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. Blackburn’s Race for Life celebrates 21 years in the town this year and is at Witton Park on

Wednesday 27 June.

Grace, 20, said: “Our Mum passed away two years ago when I was 17 and Molly was 16. Growing up and experiencing life without her is extremely difficult.

“Mum was the most caring, brave and inspirational person we will ever know. Her great sense of humour and loving personality made her one of a kind. She was always there for a helpful word of advice, or even just a cuddle. Everyone who knew her would agree

that she was glamorous, fun and tone-deaf! An absolute star!

“Our motivation to take part in Race for Life is all the incredible NHS doctors, nurses, surgeons, and all care staff who looked after our Mum during her cancer experience. 

“We want to give something back, as they were a rock for Mum, and so supportive to our family through diagnosis, treatment, and when our Mum passed away.

“We also want to ensure a cure for every type of cancer is found, and to make sure that one day, no child has to go through the pain of losing a parent at a young age to this awful disease.”

Helen was diagnosed with bowel cancer in October 2013. She had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and three operations, also contracting pneumonia and sepsis

while she was ill, but sadly passed away in January 2016.

Helen was treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital for her operations and chemotherapy, and the Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital for radiotherapy. 

Since then Grace and Molly along with their Dad have done lots of fundraising for Cancer Research UK. As well as clocking up five Race for Life events, the family organised a sponsored walk and raffle in memory of Helen in April this year raising over £6,200

for Cancer Research UK.

Molly, 18, said: “We think Mum would be very proud of us and saying: ‘Go on girls!’. She would also be happy that we are raising money to help other people through her memory.

“Mum had a healthy lifestyle before diagnosis, so the cancer was a complete shock, so another motivation of ours is to urge people to make themselves aware of the early symptoms of different cancers. Early detection is extremely important.

“We fight against cancer in memory of our Mum, and other family members who have lost their battle, and those who are still fighting.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of

5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, Half Marathon and Hiking events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer sooner by funding crucial research. 

Sarah Hunter, Cancer Research UK’s Lancashire Events Manager who is putting on both Blackburn and Preston Race for Life events, said: “Crucial cancer research is being funded right now thanks to women, just like Grace and Molly, running, jogging or walking

at Race for Life. 

“Taking part in Race for Life is a special and unique experience - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter. Whether they plan to race their way around the course or stroll to the finish line, every step participants take will help to beat cancer sooner.”

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the

heart of that progress.

To enter Race for Life today visit

raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.