4th Beckenham Half Marathon

The 4th Beckenham Half Marathon took place on Sunday 23rd September. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be organising a 4th event and neither would I have dreamt of my husband, Phill (pictured), still being well on treatment four years since I started out on this fundraising journey.

The fact that Phill is so well and still here enjoying time with his family and friends, makes me even more determined to raise as much money as we can for Action Against Cancer, as it’s due to their extensive research and latest treatment developments that we are able to enjoy our life together.

The event has grown over the last 4 years, with just 190 runners back in 2015, this year 417 runners crossed the finish line! There are more details about the event on our website www.beckenhamhalfmarathon.org.uk. So far, over £165,000 has been raised. This money has gone towards important cancer stem cell research, informing new targeted treatments to improve the quality of life and survival prospects for patients.

Phill was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer five years ago, and given only a 6% chance of surviving past five years. In that time we have had our son Joshua (pictured here with Cheryl). We are aware we are on borrowed time now and entering the unknown, but we are so grateful to all the research taking place, and new developments happening all the time that enable life to continue with cancer.

The Beckenham Half Marathon has been a great way to get the community together. People are now aware of the great work that Action Against Cancer does and we are so fortunate that with low running costs, such a large amount of the entry fees goes directly to the research.

Cheryl Whitehead – Ambassador of Action Against Cancer