Best of pals pull together to raise money

Team ‘Breast of Friends Forever’ completed the Cleethorpes Race for Life in aid of Grimsby hospital’s Pink Rose Fund.

It was especially poignant for one of the runners, six-year-old Georgia Curtis, as she completed the race in memory of her mum Leanne Curtis who died in March 2016 from breast cancer.

The team – mother and daughter Claire and Grace Farrell (seven), Kerry, Libby (seven) and Amber Smithson (eight) and Kimberley and Lila Blue Smithson (four) – all helped to raise £360.

Leanne was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2013 while she was pregnant. She went onto safely give birth to her son Freddie and then continued with her treatment. However, the family received devastating news on New Year’s Eve 2015 when they learned the cancer was back.

Claire ran the race last year in memory of Leanne as her daughter Grace cheered her on from the side lines. This year Grace asked if she and her friends could take part.

Grace said: “I wanted to do the Race for Life as it looked like a lot of fun. We were able to wear bright pink tee shirts along with lots of sparkly make-up. We all decided we wanted to run in memory of my best friend’s mummy Leanne.”

As for Georgina she jumped at the chance of taking part with her friends. She has already raised more than £160 of her own and is hoping to raise more.  

Georgia said: “It was really nice of Grace to think of fundraising for people like Mummy. I wore my pink troll wig as well as my tee shirt. It was great fun and hopefully we will be able to help other ladies who are poorly.”

Her proud dad James said: “Georgia is very proud she is able to help and support people like her mum. She is only six but fully understands that the money raised will try and help local people.”

Lauren Alexander, community champion for Grimsby hospital’s official charity, The Health Tree Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the girls wanted to raise money for local women affected by breast cancer. Their money will go towards making patients who use the Pink Rose Suite more comfortable during their stay. We cannot thank them enough.”

Claire said the team has so far raised £360 but they are hoping to raise more after they all completed the 5k route. Four-year-old Lila Blue could not officially register due to her age, but the team made her, her own running number of 702 ½.

To help Breast of Friends Forever fundraising total you can donate on their Just Giving Page  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Claire-Farrell6 or if you would like to do your own fundraising for the Pink Rose Suite please contact Lauren Alexander on 03033 304514.