A family is organising a charity fun run in memory of a much-loved County Durham mum-of-two.
The 6k fun run is being held in honour of Valerie Stainthorpe, starting and finishing at Cockfield Workingmen’s Club, on Saturday, July 15.
Proceeds from the run, which starts at 11am, will go to the Multiple System Atrophy Trust.
Multiple System Atrophy is a rare condition that attacks the nervous system, and Valerie (pictured below) lost of life to it in July last year at the age of 68.
After she died, her husband, Andrew, and daughter, Carrie Wheeler, became members of Teesdale Athletics Club, and started doing the Couch to 5k, along with Carrie’s 13-year-old son, Jack.
“It was a way of dealing with our grief, and Teesdale Athletics Club has been so supportive – they have been unreal in helping us to cope, and we can’t thank them enough,” said Carrie.
Carrie’s sister, Rebecca, has also started running, and the family now want to raise as much money as possible for research into Multiple System Atrophy.
Valerie was a former Glaxo employee, in Barnard Castle, and went on to run a convenience store in Cockfield. She later became a cleaner at Staindrop School before retiring to look after her grandchildren.
The run is an informal event for all ages and abilities, though children under-14 must be accompanied by an adult.
The route will be clearly marked and marshalled on the day, with the possibility of encountering some farm animals along the way.
Sponsor forms are available on request, but supporters are also free to join in and make a donation on the day if they prefer.
Anyone wishing to take part can contact Carrie on 077091 30506.
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