We have benefitted to the tune of £30,000 after our loyal supporters pounded the streets of Sheffield earlier in the year.

 

More than 170 of our fundraisers took part in the BUPA Great Yorkshire run in October and the Cancer Charity was the official local charity for the event.

 

To celebrate the success of the event, we were given a special sterling silver commemorative medal by organisers, Nova International, and the Sheffield Assay Office, to reward one lucky runner who raised money for our cause.

 

Lydia Emerson, from Sheffield, was the winner of a special prize draw, which was for individuals who raised more than £50 in sponsorship.

 

The 26 year old, who raised more than £400, was presented with the medal by former Premiership referee and our Patron, Uriah Rennie.

 

Pictured: Lydia is presented her commemorative medal by former Premiership referee and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity patron, Uriah Rennie

Lydia took part in the Great Yorkshire Run after sadly losing two family members to cancer.

 

She said: “I’m thrilled to have been awarded this medal! It was great to have had such great support from my family and friends in helping me raise more money that I thought I would.

 

“Cancer touches so many people’s lives so I hope the money will help cancer services and research that the charity supports on a daily basis."

 

“It was lovely to meet the Cancer Charity team and Uriah Rennie. They are so dedicated and do amazing work to help raise funds for the cause.”

 

Lydia is now hoping to take part in the Great Yorkshire Run next year, as well as the 2012 SIG Insulations Sheffield Half Marathon, to raise more money for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

 

She added: “I really enjoyed training for the race and all the support on the day really spurred me on. I’m looking forward to increasing my distance and taking part in next year’s Sheffield Half Marathon as well as the Great Yorkshire Run.”

 

Four other commemorative sterling silver medals, with a value of £250 each, were made by the Sheffield Assay Office especially for the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run and were awarded to the race’s 5th, 50th, 500th and 5,000th placed runners. The medals were commissioned to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the race in Sheffield.

 

Helen Gentle, fundraiser said: “We are extremely grateful to every single one of our supporters who took part in the Great Yorkshire Run on behalf of the Cancer Charity.”

 

“Congratulations to Lydia for winning the medal – she thoroughly deserves it after raising such a fantastic amount of money for the charity and we are thrilled she has decided to continue supporting us.”

 

“We need to raise £1.3 million each year to fund cancer research, treatment and care and we rely on the generosity of people like Lydia and her friends and family.”

 

John Mayock, event organiser of the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run, said: “Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity is a fantastic cause and we were thrilled they became the designated regional charity for our 2011 race."

 

“To then see more than £30,000 raised by runners is quite an incredible achievement. We are therefore delighted that Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity will again be the regional charity for next year’s Bupa Great Yorkshire Run.”