Northern Experience Wildlife Tours

Tag: Cancer Research UK

  • Pretty in Pink

    No, not a homage to the Molly Ringwald film , or the Psychedelic Furs track that inspired it, but the latest step in Sarah and Kirsty’s training plan.

    With showers forecast for this morning it looked as though the Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Gateshead could be a bit damp.  As it turned out, the rain didn’t start until well after the girls had finished the race.

    They were pretty relaxed, but both quite excited as well, before the start.  I went along as sherpa to the Northern Experience/Swan at Choppington duo.

    Colder than it looked!

    Birdwatching interest was provided by a family of Mute Swans on the lake

    Mute Swans with 7 cygnets

    Participation in the pre-race warm-up was enthusiastic.

    "Put your hands in the air if you're a runner rather than a jogger"

    Faced with the option of runner/jogger/walker they opted for ‘runner’.  Despite both Sarah and Kirsty having been ill, and unable to train, for the last week they crossed the finish line after 33mins 1sec.

    Nearly there 🙂

    Then they had a well-deserved sit down (and some Jaffa Cakes).  The girls exceeded their fund-raising target and I think they should feel justifiably proud of their achievements; they completed the race in a good time and raised money for a good cause.

    Now we’re on our way to The Swan for Sunday lunch.  I think they might be wearing their medals 🙂

    Done it!

  • Race for Life

    Taking a break from blogging about birdwatching, Northumberland, photography and wildlife…but just for this afternoon 🙂

    On Sunday, Sarah and Kirsty will be taking part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life.  It’s only a couple of months since they started training for the Sport Relief Mile (and, when they did run the 1.4 miles around Ladyburn Lake at Druridge Bay Country Park, that was further than they’d run continuously in training).  Now they’re going to run 5km…and that won’t be the end of it.  The grand plan is heading towards completing a marathon sometime before 2020.

    In the meantime though, the Race for Life is really important, so please consider sponsoring Sarah and Kirsty this weekend.  My own background was in Cancer Research, as a medicinal chemist, and several of my relatives passed away after developing cancer so it’s a cause that’s close to my heart.  Poignantly, a very close friend was recently diagnosed with cancer so our thoughts are with him and his family.  He’s more than just a friend though; he can relate anecdotes that I’m embarrassed by (and I really don’t embarrass easily!) and I’ve seen his sons grow from little lads into fine young men, one of whom has just made him a grandad for the first time.  Get well soon Shaun – we still have to take you on a trip to the Farne Islands 🙂