Local people affected by cancer are invited to lace up their trainers at a brand new 5k event on the Royal Estate in Sandringham organised by a QEH cancer patient.
This event is the first of its type in Norfolk and those who put on their running shoes to walk, jog or run will benefit not only from the outside air and physical activity but also the emotional support.
The 5K Your Way Move Against Cancer event launches on Saturday 24 February at 9am at Sandringham’s parkrun. Cancer patients and their loved ones are invited to join more than 180 people to get moving, chatting and create lasting friendships at a difficult time.
Sophie Hansell, 40, who received cancer treatment at The QEH has worked tirelessly to make this event a reality.
Sophie, from Narborough near King’s Lynn, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in September 2021. She had chemotherapy and surgery at the King’s Lynn hospital and received radiotherapy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Sophie said: “I wanted to give something back and make sure that those in the same position as me had an event they could come along to, really feel part of and meet other cancer patients and their friends or family.
“5K Your Way gives you an opportunity to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do and concentrate on what you can control, rather than what you cannot control, which is sometimes what a cancer diagnosis can feel like.
“The first event takes place on my birthday, and I can’t think of anything better to be doing to celebrate reaching 41.”
Staff from The QEH are supporting this event by volunteering as ambassadors and will keep walkers and runners of the course company and offer a listening ear.
Vicky Mitchell, Macmillan Information and Support Manager at the QEH, is one of those ambassadors and she said: “I am so proud to be part of this event, especially as it’s the first of its kind in Norfolk. I hope that I, and some of the other QEH ambassadors might be a recognisable and friendly face for cancer patients to come along and take part.”
For more information about the event, or to become an ambassador visit the 5K Your Way website.
Those interested in joining the Sandringham 5K Your Way group are encouraged to register here before meeting at 8.45am. The free monthly event, with free of charge car parking, will take place on the last Saturday of every month.
Ends.
Notes to editors;
This event is part of a national initiative, backed by Move Against Cancer.
Photo (left to right): Vicky Mitchell, Claire Blackburn, Sophie Hansell and Sarah Byatt
For further information about 5K Your Way, visit their website here or email sandringhamgroup@5kyourway.org
For media enquires only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
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