The GR8 10K Charity Run has been organised in support of ‘Together in West Essex’ a local breast cancer charity. Over the past 12 years ‘Together in West Essex’ has raised over £319,000 which has helped to provide relief and support for local ladies and gents undergoing treatment in St. Margaret’s, Epping and Princess Alexandra, Harlow, the local cancer units, as well as contributing towards the provision of equipment and research.

The race is going to be a multiple terrain 10K starting at Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, this is the first year for the GR8 10K and with your help we hope to make this an annual event, with all of the money raised going to ‘Together in West Essex’.

Date: 30th August 2015

Race Start: 11:00am

Price: £15.00 with free T-shirt if registered by 30th July 2015

Venue: The Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, Silver Leys, Hadham Road, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2QE

To register for the event, please click here: http://www.active.com/bishop-s-stortford-hertfordshire/running/distance-running-races/gr8-10k-charity-run-2015

Hospital Press release                                              5 August 2013

 

 “Proud of what we’ve achieved”

 

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Symone White has been fundraising with friend Karen Thompson pretty much non-stop since then.

 

In fact, the dedicated women set up their own charity to raise money for the clinical trials unit at St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping, and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow - Together in West Essex, and have banked an amazing £285,000 over the years.

 

“I feel very proud of what Karen and I have achieved,” said mum-of-two Symone, 45, who lives in Takeley. “We get a real buzz out of it. I got the all-clear in 2005 and I’m lucky to be alive and I want to give something back to the unit and Ashraf, the man that helped to save my life.”

 

The two friends started with a charity walk in Harlow Town Park that raised more than £20,000 and haven’t looked back.

 

“We’ve held countless balls, organised a trip to China, walked the Inca Trail in Peru and we’re going to Everest Base Camp this year,” said Symone, who works at the trials office in Epping.

 

Symone’s son Aaron, 21, followed in his mum’s footsteps, too, organising a black tie ball with a friend. “He started young – being sponsored to have his head shaved at 10 and he and his brother Sam,17  will do more to help, I know.

 

 “It has been hard work – I’ve had many a sleepless night, because I put 110% into everything I do, but it’s been great to have a buddy to do it with. We make a great team, in today’s climate it’s hard, but people are very generous.”

 

Mum-of-two Karen, 47, who lives in Duton Hill, near Dunmow, was Aaron’s primary school teacher when Symone was diagnosed. She stepped in to help with childcare during Symone’s chemo and quickly volunteered to help with fundraising, cementing their friendship.

 

“I was chairman of the PFA so I was used to fundraising. I think anyone can do it and more people should get involved,” said Karen. “It often takes a personal link as the impetus to get people started.”

 

Along the way, they’ve raised cash for other causes, including London’s Royal Marsden Hospital, where Karen’s husband was treated for cancer a couple of years ago.

 

“We do encourage more people to join us – a group of about nine of us go walking each Tuesday and those ladies help out when we have functions.”

 

This year, Karen & Symone are joining a fund-raising London to Brighton cycle ride and Karen is running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for the second time on Sunday October 6 before both taking on Everest base camp two weeks later. “The run was a magical experience last year so I thought I’d do it again but I’m too busy training for the bike ride to run right now!”

 

Karen added. “I’m really pleased with our achievement. The aim was to raise £1/4m but we’ve gone past that and I’d like to raise £1/2m.”

 

We have just finished trekking to Base Camp Everest along with 22 others, the journey was challenging; 9 days to trek there and 5 days to trek back to any form of civilisation. We met some great people and in total the trip raised approximately £130,000, so many thanks to all those that supported everyone. Symone and I will continue to raise as much money as possible, because we believe that we can help to make a difference. Future events include a ladies pamper eveining on the 28th Nov 2013 and An evening's entertainment with Lady Diamond and Scott Forbes at Home and Eat in Bishops Stortford on the 6th December. Phone 07771880066 for more details.

 

Notes to editors:
For details about PAH NHS Trust Charitable Fund - breast clinical trials, call 01279 827857.The breast unit serves a population of over 300,000 and over 300 new cases are diagnosed every year. Patients come from East Herts and West Essex, including Hertford, Ware, Buntingford, Broxbourne, Harlow, Epping, Ongar, Loughton, Chigwell and Saffron Walden. In addition to clinical trials, charitable funds have helped establish a Family History Clinic, a Bone Health Clinic, the Fabulous and Beautiful (FAB) programme for women living with cancer, and a reflexology clinic.

 

 

 

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