Garstang family to take on Pretty Muddy in support of dad

A nurse from Garstang will be taking part in the Race For Life Pretty Muddy event with her two children in support of her husband.

Sarah Shaw will have her children Ryan, 10 and Amy, six, by her side in the event at Preston’s Moor Park, to raise money for Cancer Research following Chris’ diagnosis.

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Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.  

Sarah, 33, who works as a nurse in a care home said: “I run Race For Life most years and it’s such a special event, but this year will be extra special for us. My children are running Pretty Muddy too with me and they are so excited to be running for Daddy.

“This year there will be those knowing looks between people who are also there to run for their loved one, knowing that we understand what the other is going through because we are going through it too. The emotion of the day and the atmosphere is like nothing else, it’s an amazing event.”

Sarah’s husband, Chris, 37, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma on January 17th 2022 after discovering a swelling on his calf muscle. Tests confirmed the cancer was also in his lymph nodes and both thighs and secondary in his hip and pelvis bone.

Chris, a dairy farmer, is currently on his fifth round of chemotherapy as part of a two-year treatment plan which also involves radiotherapy and targeted therapy.

Sarah said: “My husband is a young, fit, healthy, hardworking man. He’s never ill, until a large instant swelling appeared in his calf muscle which we suspected was a DVT blood clot. But then we were told the worst news.

“We have taken in so much information as a family and it is draining, emotionally and physically. The worry is horrendous and living in the what if and limbo. We told our children and were open with them, we bought cancer support books and they shaved daddy’s hair off, and we are finding our new routine slowly.

“We are at the beginning of our journey and I hope and pray on a miracle that my husband heals, and we ring that bell in remission. Not only that, but for a long time! We also plan to renew our wedding vows after this journey with a big party!”

The family aren’t new to fundraising, Sarah has taken part in many Race For Life and Born Survivor events, most recently raising £800 for Stand Up To Cancer. And Chris raised £1000 for Cancer Research UK in 2010 when he drove from Land’s End to John O’Groats in vintage farmer vehicles.

Sarah added: “One in two of us will be touched by cancer in our lifetime so I would encourage everyone to sign up for a Race For Life event to fundraise to help find a cure for this horrible disease. My hat goes off to all those who are on the cancer journey as it not only affects the person diagnosed but everyone who cares for them.

“Research is what keeps Chris’ treatment going and keeps him here with us, so we want to raise as much as we can.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. 

The Race for Life events at Moor Park, on Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston on Saturday, 11 June are open to people of all ages and abilities.  Women, men and children can choose from 3k, 5k and 10k events. There is also a chance to take part in Pretty Muddy, a mud-splattered obstacle course and there’s a Pretty Muddy Kids option. 

Jemma Humphreys, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the North West, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sarah and her children for all of their support. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way.

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“Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. So we’re asking people across the region: who will you Race for?

“Our Race for Life events are open to all. For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park. Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog.

“Others may opt to push themselves harder, taking up the challenge of the 10K distance and even pushing for a new personal best time. But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities. The Race for Life events in Lancashire will be fun, emotional, colourful, uplifting and an unforgettable event this year.”  

Race for Life events across the UK this year will follow current government guidance to protect against COVID-19. Hand sanitiser will be provided at all events.   

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.    

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “This will be our 21^st year in partnership with Cancer Research UK and Race for Life and we hope this year can be the biggest yet.”  

To donate, visit: Sarah Pretty Muddy 2022

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