Three friends take on Great North Run in memory of sailing instructor

Three friends are preparing to take on the Great North Run in memory of a sailing instructor from Rochdale who died from cancer just days after her wedding in Carlisle.

Charley Findlay was only 29 when she died in the city's Eden Valley Hospice last year after marrying husband Callum ten days earlier.

Now three of her friends are to do the Great North Run to raise cash for the Durdar Road hospice in memory of Charley, who moved from Rochdale to Cumbria to be with Callum.

Kate Grant, her husband Luke and Charley's brother-in-law Lee Steele – all from the Rochdale area - are training heavily for the event which takes place in Newcastle on 9 September.

Charley and Callum were married on June 2 last year after nurses at the hospice helped make her dream come true by ensuring that, although very sick, she was able to get to her wedding. She died on June 12.

Kate said: “Eden Valley looked after Charley last year during her fight with cancer and they were amazing.

“The nurses supported her plans for the wedding and were with her when she got married to help with her pain and to make her comfortable.

“We wanted to give something back to them and decided to do something to raise money for the hospice in memory of Charley and her fighting spirit, she was always smiling and positive. We love running and thought would be a way of raising money for such a good cause.”

Kate, the mother of two young boys, had known Charley – an avid sailor - for around 10 years.

Kate added: “She sailed on Ullswater and moved to Cumbria to be with Callum. When they married he made her dream come true.”

For Lee, who is married to Charley's sister Louise, the Great North Run will be his first half marathon. Kate and Luke have competed in two in Manchester as well as several 10k races. They also enjoy mountain climbing.

Kate said: “We are continuing our running by doing around 10 miles each week. We think the Great North Run will be a tough one but will be worth every minute.”

Charley was diagnosed with a tumour in her liver in January 2017. It was removed but the cancer was found to be very aggressive and spread to her blood and spine.

Sam Johnston, Community and Events Fundraiser at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, said more than 40 people were supporting it at this year’s Great North Run.

He said: “The event is even more special by having Kate, Luke and Lee raising money in memory of Charley.

“When Charley was at the Hospice is was a really important time. The day she got married was especially poignant and she got a great send off from all the staff and volunteers at the Hospice.

“We cannot thank Kate, Luke, and Lee enough for all their hard work and fundraising and we are so proud to have them representing us.”

To donate,visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kate-grant7