Running in her honour

An employee from rooflight and roof window manufacturer Glazing Vision has ran the Cambridge Half Marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Kim Stevenson, Project Manager at Glazing Vision, sadly lost a close friend (Louise) to cancer two years ago, and Macmillan provided her friend with a lot of support and care, especially towards the end of her life. The charity enabled her to have her final wish of peacefully passing away at home, surrounded by her family.

Due to this, the charity is extremely close to Kim’s heart, and she wants to support them however possible, and allow them to help more families.

Kim said that the race was hard work physically, mentally, and emotionally and she suffered numerous muscle injuries during the race, adding to the physical challenge of a half marathon, but she kept pushing through, wanting to make everyone proud and thank them for their generous donations.

Kim said: “The Cambridge half marathon was the biggest challenge I have ever undertaken in my life, but it was worth it and I would do it again!”

Despite the numerous injuries throughout the race, when Kim rounded the corner to the finishing line, she was spurred on by her son running alongside her in the crowd, giving her the final push to sprint over the finish line.

Once Kim crossed the line she was, understandably, overcome with emotions and was comforted by her loving family, before collecting her medal from the tent which, at that moment, was illuminated by the sun beaming down onto it.

Before, during and after the race, Kim had the unrelenting support of work colleagues, friends and family. From donating to her fundraising page, offering words of wisdom and cheering her on the day.

When asked about the support, Kim commented: “My family have been there every step of my journey to encourage me to complete the race and support me with the loss of a close friend. I had a strong perseverance to get through it and make everyone proud and thank them for their donations to the cause.”

Even after the injuries suffered during the half marathon, Kim has not been deterred, and is running a 5K in May, to raise money for Cancer Research, and she strongly encourages people to take part in events like this for the worthwhile cause.

The 5K race will take place a few days before the anniversary of Louise’s death, which will make the run all the more special.

Kim has no doubt that she will take part in more events in the future to raise much needed funds for Macmillan, and fund their important research for a cancer cure.

“Cancer is happening right now, which isn’t the only reason why I’m doing this. I was lucky enough to have someone come into my life, who has left an incredible impression on me, someone I will always look up to. Sadly my friend Louise fought so hard but lost her battle to cancer nearly two years ago. We were truly robbed of an amazing soul – so I plan to do this for her, to raise some money to help the fight, to help others and maybe one day find a cure. This one’s for Lou”

You can support Kim and her charitable endeavors on JustGiving, any donation big or small is greatly appreciated: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Kimberly-Stevenson or https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/kimberlys-race-for-life-353

https://www.glazingvision.co.uk/