‘Anna’s Army’ of 12 long-distance runners raised almost £14,500 for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign through sponsorship in the weekend’s gruelling Paris marathon.
“It’s great that people have given so much money for such a worthwhile cause but it would be even more wonderful if we could actually hit the £15,000 landmark,” said cancer victim Anna at her Newton Aycliffe home this week.
There was special praise for one member of the ‘Army’ – Sarah Hargreaves from York, a friend of Anna’s mum, Linda – who tackled the Paris marathon and then got on her bike and rode the 277 miles to Rotterdam where she will run in the city’s weekend marathon. Sarah (Photo below) has raised £3,700 of the £14,431 pledged in sponsorship money from the Paris Marathon. (See https://www.justgiving.com/two-marathons-and-a-bit-of-a-bike-ride)
Since Anna Swabey from Newton Aycliffe was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour 15 months ago, she has raised more than £65,000 for the charity and has also helped attract more than 100,000 signatures for an on-line petition calling for the government to boost its funding for brain tumour research. A Parliamentary debate on the issue is scheduled for later this month.
Anna’s non-stop efforts recently won her a prestigious Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland ‘UK Young Citizen of the Year’ honour which brings with it a cash award of £500 which will boost the coffers of the charity even further.
‘Anna’s Army’ (with Anna and soon-to-be-husband Andy Bell centre) is pictured in the French capital before the start of the run. Their eye-catching purple vests were provided by Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club where Anna is an honorary member.
Anyone wishing to contribute to Anna’s appeal can do so via https://www.justgiving.com/InsideMyHead by Ron Eyley
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