Sheila McKenna and Alison Wallace get pretty muddy in memory of their dads

Sheila McKenna and Alison Wallace Pretty Muddy

Sheila McKenna and Alison Wallace, who lost their much loved dads to cancer, will be standing up to the disease by launching a new event from Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Alison Wallace, aged 48, who works as the Practice Manager of Milnrow Village Practice, is fighting back against cancer by urging women to sign up for Race for Life Pretty Muddy which takes place for the first time at Heaton Park in Manchester on Saturday 11 July.

The mum-of-one is showing her fighting spirit by encouraging ladies to become part of the collective force ready to take on cancer by entering Pretty Muddy in Manchester.

Pretty Muddy is a women-only, non-competitive 5k obstacle course – with added mud. It’s the perfect challenge for those looking to get off the sofa and be more active in 2015.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life family of events also includes the familiar 5k and 10k events, which thousands of women will take part in at the same venue on Sunday July 12

Alison lost her dad, Mike McTear, to primary bowel cancer and secondary cancer of the liver in September 2012 – just weeks after he was diagnosed with the disease.

Alison, who is married to David and has an 18 -year-old daughter,  Tia, had urged her dad to take-up advantage of the bowel screening kit, but he had been reluctant to do so.

Mike had suffered no major symptoms prior to his diagnosis other than some weight loss.
However, a routine blood test picked up abnormalities and Mike was sent for a scan which revealed spots on the liver.

Further tests at The Christie showed that the spots were in fact tumours. As the cancer was already so advanced, he was warned that treatment was not an option.

Mike aged 67, moved in with Alison and her family. Her sisters and their families rallied round to offer support in his final weeks.

Alison, who lives in Oldham, said: “Losing my dad was a complete and utter blow. We went from thinking that there wasn’t much wrong with him, to then learning he was terminally ill.

“All his life my dad was fit and well and was working part-time right up until his diagnosis.

“We had a very special bond with my dad. He was a lovely, lovely man and we feel privileged that we could all pitch in and care for him during his final days.”

Alison has regularly fundraised for Cancer Research UK by taking part in Race for Life events at Heaton Park in Manchester over the past few years.

Oldham pal Sheila McKenna joined Alison to kick-off the countdown to Pretty Muddy. Sheila, aged 58, also from Oldham, lost her own father William Wharfe to bowel cancer in 2000.

Every hour, around four people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. And that’s why Cancer Research UK is calling on women across the region to show cancer who’s boss by choosing their challenge - Pretty Muddy, 5k or 10k - and signing up now.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK’s North West spokeswoman said: “We’re so grateful to Alison and Sheila for their support and we hope that local women will be inspired by their courage and sign up for their Pretty Muddy event today.

“Pretty Muddy promises all the fun and camaraderie of our much loved 5k and 10k events – just with an extra serving of mud and obstacles. Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast. Women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around.

“With fire in their bellies and trainers at the ready, we know that North West ladies are up for the challenge.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring women-only series of 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy events which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat 200 different types of cancer.

As well as Pretty Muddy at Heaton Park in Manchester, a Pretty Muddy event will be held at Tatton Park in Cheshire on Saturday June 20.

Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across the North West.

Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and more supporters are needed to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

To enter Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.