‘It’s been tough watching mum get so poorly’

A Melton woman has teamed up with two sisters to jog, skip and scoot 126 miles in support of their mum who is suffering from cancer.
From left, sisters Paula Young, Andrea Fiford and Jan Hughes, with their mum, Carole Dyson EMN-210414-101231001From left, sisters Paula Young, Andrea Fiford and Jan Hughes, with their mum, Carole Dyson EMN-210414-101231001
From left, sisters Paula Young, Andrea Fiford and Jan Hughes, with their mum, Carole Dyson EMN-210414-101231001

Andrea Fiford (55) has joined forces with Jan Hughes (53) and 48-year-old Paula Young in taking part in the Race for Life at Home on April 24 to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

Their mum, Carol Dyson (75), who lives near Retford, in Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in February after scans showed suspicious nodules in her stomach.

The virtual event will mark the start of a mammoth 126-mile fitness campaign for the trio who have pledged to make their way to their mum’s home, by the time she finishes treatment for cancer in June.

Eldest sister Andrea, who is a nurse, said: “At first we thought it was stomach cancer so when we were told it was a type of lymphoma that was treatable it was a relief, but she still needed chemotherapy so it’s been tough watching her get so poorly with it.”

To kick off their fundraising in style, the ladies have created a ‘Charlie’s Angel’s’ inspired spoof video using water guns and Race for Life merchandise.

Middle sister Jan, who can be seen leaping from a forklift truck in the video which she helped film while at work, said: “The three of us were devastated when mum was diagnosed with cancer, especially as lockdown meant we couldn’t go and see her.

“We’ve had to get used to seeing each other virtually so we thought, why not do Race for Life virtually?

“We’re all very close and we would normally have spent a lot of time together during the past year so we decided instead to add up all the miles it would take to walk to mum’s from each of our houses.”

Youngest sister, Paula, said: “Mum has always been there for us and all of her many friends so the video idea was our tribute to her energy and a way of bringing a smile to her face.”

Carole, who is married to Eric, is a retired youth worker with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She said: “I’m so proud of my three angels.”

l Go to www.fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/paulas-race-for-life-at-home-38 to sponsor them.