Miss Doncaster supports cancer charity at Run in the Park after family cancer fight

21st June 2016

The current Miss Doncaster is preparing for a 10k run this July to help raise awareness and funds for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Charlie Lister (28) from Edenthorpe, Doncaster will stride out alongside hundreds of runners on the 10th July as part of Weston Park Cancer Charity's annual Run in the Park event at Graves Park, Sheffield. Weston Park Cancer Charity is the dedicated charity for Weston Park Hospital and needs to raise over £2 million this year to help improve the lives of over 18,000 people fighting cancer across the region. Weston Park Hospital is one of only a handful of specialist cancer hospitals in England and treats patients from all over South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire. After seeing many of her family members fight cancer, including her dad, Phil, Charlie has vowed to complete the popular race in support of thousands of people fighting cancer and in memory of her late granny and granddad. -Cancer has had a huge impact on my life from an early age. - Said Charlie. -When I was just 2 years old my dad was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and although I can't remember it, he says he always used to put a baseball cap on when I visited him during treatment so I didn't notice he'd lost his hair. -Since my dad's diagnosis, both my granny and granddad have been diagnosed with cancer and sadly weren't as fortunate. My Granny, Pauline succumbed to lung cancer after a 10 year battle and my granddad passed away 2 years ago after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. -I'm new to running but watching your family go through such devastating times is truly awful and anything I can do to support our local cancer hospital is a no brainer! -Patients and their families in our region rely on the work of Weston Park Hospital, not just for life-saving cancer treatments, but also for ongoing support during and after a cancer diagnosis. Run in the Park welcomes families, friends and colleagues to don their running vests in support of the cancer charity and is well attended by hospital staff, fundraisers and patients alike. Now into its eighth year, the cancer charity is encouraging participants of all ages and abilities to take on either the 3k fun run or 10k race as part of the event. Since 2008, over £300,000 has been raised through Run in the Park which has enabled the funding of pioneering projects within Weston Park Hospital, including cutting- edge research, advanced treatment options and support services. Charity Senior Fundraising Manager, Helen Gentle said -We are delighted that Charlie will be joining us at this year's Run in the Park and stepping out for cancer patients in our region. -Charlie's experience of cancer is sadly all too common and the more people that can support the work of Weston Park Cancer Charity at this event, the more families we can hope to keep together for longer across the region. -Weston Park Hospital is home to the only radiotherapy department in South Yorkshire, meaning that cancer patients from Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and Chesterfield are required to attend for treatment. -We'd like to encourage runners of all abilities and ages to join Charlie on the day and help us make a real difference to cancer services now and in the future. Charlie, who was awarded the Miss Doncaster title last year, now has her sights set on America and is competing in the Royal UK Miss this July where winners will go on to compete in the USA. She continued, -I just really want to do South Yorkshire proud and supporting local charities is a really important part of my work. To support Charlie's fundraising at Run in the Park donate via JustGiving at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Charlotte-Lister6?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=20160610_68189 To sign up for Run in the Park and take on the 3k fun run or 10k race at Graves Park visit: www.runinthepark.org.uk