STAFF from different Chester hotels came together to run the Race for Life at Chester Racecourse and raised more than £600 to support a very special colleague.
Louise Feenan, revenue manager at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, never thought that less than a year after she did the Race for Life herself, the unthinkable would happen and she would be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Louise said: “My colleagues and I entered the race last year and ironically five months later I was diagnosed.
“The date for my surgery was my daughter’s birthday and I got the results on my son’s birthday, which felt like a bad omen! I’ve finished chemotherapy now and I’m about to start radiotherapy.
“No one should ever think ‘it won’t happen to me’. I was a working mum of three whose life was turned upside down within 24 hours.”
Doubletree’s sales and marketing manager Clare Bebb brought together Louise’s past and present colleagues to run the Race for Life.
Clare said: “Lou is only 34 and a mum of three young children. She reminds us all that this illness has no respect for age or family. Louise is a fighter and has remained strong and cheerful throughout her treatment, with her focus on getting well for her family.
“We’re delighted with the amount we raised – our target was £200, so to treble that was amazing and we’re so grateful to everyone who donated.”
Seven members of staff at the Doubletree by Hilton Chester were joined by Claire Laird from Mecure and Laura Stead from Abode, both former colleagues of Louise’s who wanted to support her and others in her position.
Louise added: “Race for Life is a fantastic way to build awareness, and the girls who ran it this year to support me and many others did really well. I was there to cheer them on and thank them all for raising money for such a great cause.”
