A BEREAVED Rugby woman who lost her dad to a brain tumour is ‘channeling her grief into something positive’ by taking part in a nine-mile charity walk around Warwickshire.
Helen Carter, 27, will participate in the inaugural Hatton Locks Walk of Hope on Saturday (September 28) with colleague Lorraine Kirby, 44.
The pair, who work as project managers at Sainsbury’s head office in Coventry, will raise vital funds and awareness for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Helen hopes to raise £200 in memory of her dad Michael Jones, a Rugby man who died in February 2018 at the age of 72 – just three months after his diagnosis with a brain tumour – leaving his wife Christine, their three daughters and a son.
Helen said: “I was just 25 when my dad died and it was heart-breaking to lose him so suddenly. He had suffered from speech problems and issues with his balance but we had no idea a brain tumour was the cause of his symptoms. It took a long time to get to the root of his health issues.
“Sadly, by the time my dad was diagnosed it was already too late. He had a biopsy but before we received the results he declined rapidly. We never knew what type of brain tumour he had, nor how long it had been there. I was devastated that nothing could be done to save him.
“I decided to channel my grief into something positive and fortunately my colleagues have been very supportive. Lorraine and I hadn’t known each long when my dad fell ill and she was a great friend during the difficult times. It definitely brought us closer.
“I’m looking forward to raising awareness at the Hatton Locks Walk of Hope and it will be a fantastic day out, boasting fantastic views of the Warwickshire countryside. I hope my dad is proud of me as I take a step towards a brain tumour cure.”
The Hatton Locks Walk of Hope follows a nine-mile route along the Grand Union Canal, with a climb of 21 locks up the Avon Valley from Warwick.
Carrie Bater, community fundraising manager for Brain Tumour Research in the Midlands, said: “We are thankful for Helen and Lorraine’s support and we hope they encourage people to join us at Warwickshire’s inaugural Walk of Hope. The walk promises to be a fantastic event and offers the unique opportunity for people to share their experiences with the disease.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40, yet have historically received just one per cent of the national spend of cancer research. We cannot allow this situation to continue so please join Helen and Lorraine at the event and help scientists searching for a cure.”
The charity is calling for an annual spend of £35m in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia and is also campaigning for greater repurposing of drugs.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Lorraine-Kirby4 to sponsor Helen and Lorraine.
Visit https://bit.ly/2ZhCIsY to take part in the Hatton Locks Walk of Hope.
