I’ll race for Nana
Evie’s 5k charity run in memory of grandparents
The Traitors star evie Morrison has opened up on losing both grandparents to cancer as she prepares to help launch and take part in a Race for Life event.
Nana Alice Orr, 64, died after a long battle with oesophageal cancer in 2006.
In 2018, the family faced further heartache after grandad Robert Orr passed away from bowel cancer.
Evie, 30, told how they will be in her thoughts as she runs in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Inverness on Sunday, June 2, which she will take part in after sounding the starting horn.
The veterinary nurse said: “My nana Alice was an incredibly strong, wonderful woman. She was head of the household and we all loved her very much. I have the best memories of happy times spent with Nana when I was growing up.
“It was often three generations of us having fun together, my nana, my mum and me. Nana loved animals and at one point cared for eight rescue dogs at home. I think
it was Nana who first taught me to care for and respect animals, a love which eventually led me to train as a vet nurse. Nana Alice was a beautiful lady. Sadly she had a long, hard battle with cancer which turned out to be inoperable.
“When she passed away there was a massive hole left in all of our lives. Years later, we also lost my grandad to cancer.
“Like so many families, our family has been touched by the disease and lost people too soon. I’ll Race for Life in my grandparents’ memory but also to help people who are going through cancer right now.” Evie, who will run the 5k course alongside wife Kayleigh and their rescue dogs, Arlo and Dash, was the last Scot standing in the second season of the hit BBC TV show after making it to the final five.
A keen runner, she has already completed the Edinburgh and Loch Ness marathons.
Her love of the outdoors and sense of adventure is what inspired her to sign up for the show.
She added: “I’m proud to call the north of Scotland my home. I loved the opportunity to be in series two of The Traitors. It was the most amazing experience.
“It’s filmed near my home and I enjoyed the chance to be the unofficial tour guide for the film crew and cast, pointing out all the beautiful places.
“I was proud to see other people enjoy the Highlands as much as me. Most of them can’t wait to come back, which is great.”
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are grateful to Evie and Kayleigh for their support.
“Race for Life has the power not only to transform lives, but to save them. It’s a chance to feel the power of moving together with fellow Race for Lifers and to treasure that moment of crossing the finish line.”
When she passed it left a huge hole in all our lives
EVIE ON HEARTBREAK OF LOSING NANA ALICE