Local teachers’ mission to score top marks for breast cancer research
Press Release For immediate release: 21 March 2011 Press contact: Louise Garrahan, Media Relations Officer, Breast Cancer Campaign, DD 0207 749 3724, Email: lgarrahan@breastcancercampaign.org Local teachers’ mission to score top marks for breast cancer research Budding runners Jeff Hutchens and Becks Wilsher from Bristol have laced up their running shoes to train for the Virgin London Marathon in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign. Jeff is Head of Performing Arts at St Katherine’s Secondary School in Ham Green Pill, on the edge of Bristol, where Becks is Head of Year 7 and teaches PE. They will join thousands of runners for the 26.2mile race on Sunday 17 April to support Jeff’s sister, Rachel Williams, who has recently finished treatment for breast cancer after being diagnosed in February last year. Jeff is also running in memory of his mother-in-law who sadly passed away from the disease in 2006. He said: “I saw what my sister went through and am so grateful that the research funded by charities such as Breast Cancer Campaign means she is still with us. I have been running half-marathons since 2004 but this will be my first full marathon, so I’m excited to run for a cause that’s close to my heart and I feel it will be a fitting tribute to my late mother-in-law. I really hope lots of people will dig deep and sponsor me for this challenge and help Breast Cancer Campaign continue funding world-class breast cancer research.” Liam Fox, MP for Bristol, has given the pair his full backing for the running challenge. He said: “I'm delighted that Jeff and Becks in my constituency are running the London Marathon for Breast Cancer Campaign. Funding breast cancer research is a fantastic cause as this disease affects so many people across the UK, so I wish them well with their fundraising and good luck for the run. I’m sure the local community will be fully behind them.” To help Jeff reach his fundraising target of £1,500 please visit www.justgiving.com/jeff-hutchens and donate what you can. This year around 48,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and sadly approximately 12,000 will die from this disease. So if you have a guaranteed place in this year’s Virgin London Marathon and would like to make a difference to the lives of all those affected by breast cancer, please join Jeff and Becks on Campaign’s team. For more information, please call the Events team on 0207 749 4114 or visit www.breastcancercampaign.org If you have your own place there is no minimum sponsorship amount and each runner who signs up will receive a fundraising pack including a Breast Cancer Campaign running vest, sponsorship forms and lots of support from the charity on the day. Ends Picture caption: Jeff Hutchens and Becks Wilsher Notes to editors • Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure • Currently it supports 81 research projects, worth over £15.5 million, in 31 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women • In the UK, nearly 48,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year - that’s 130 a day • Visit www.breastcancercampaign.org • Read Chief Executive Pamela Goldberg’s blog http://pamelagoldbergblog.blogspot.com/
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