Anne's grand target

Jan 30 2003 Christopher Beesley Ellesmere Port Pioneer

A GREAT Sutton women is calling on the Ellesmere Port public to help her raise more than £1,000 for Cancer Research as she runs the London Marathon in tribute to her mother who died from the disease.

Anne Collins, 36, who is manager of start-ups and small businesses at Barclays on Whitby Road, is hoping to bank £750 from sponsors, which her employers have agreed to match.

She said: 'Barclays will equal whatever I raise from the public, pound for pound up to £750.

'I've got about £200 so far but I'm hoping that people around the town will be able to help me reach my target for such a worthwhile cause before the race.

'My mum, Carmel Birch, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma three years ago and despite doing everything in her power to fight the disease and everyone's best efforts, I lost her in November 2001.

'I miss my mum terribly and she was always one to care for others and I know I am doing something in her memory if I can raise money so that important cancer research can continue.'

Anne has twice taken part in half marathons in Chester but decided to take the step up and tackle the 26.2mile course in the capital on April 13 in a bid to aid those who helped her mum during her illness.

She said: 'I have been running since the age of 10, first in competitions and then for fun and fitness but it has always been an ambition to run a marathon and this is an ideal opportunity.'

Anne has been in training for the past three months and her increasing schedule of running is now up to 25 miles a week.

She often runs alone but is sometimes helped by her friend Moya Blain, who accompanies her on a bicycle.

Sir Paul Jones, chief executive of Cancer Re-search UK, said: 'It is great to have Anne on the team, we rely overwhelmingly on dedicated supporters like her to fund more vital research projects that will ultimately help us to cure cancer faster.'

Cancer Research UK has a team of 1500 runners at this year's London Marathon and is looking to raise over £1.5 million.

* To sponsor Anne call her on 0151 551 5109.