PALS GOING ON THE RUN FOR A WOMAN THEY’VE NEVER MET!
Friends in half-marathon to aid cancer patient Lisa
TWO mums are raising funds for a woman they have never met who has been struck down with a terminal brain tumour at just 36.
Lisa Coxon should have been celebrating 12 months of being cancer-free in April when she was given the devastating diagnosis.
Now stranger Capella Todd-lloyd, who has been following the story of the Staffordshire Police detective, has decided to do something to help the mum-of-two as they share a mutual friend.
She has already raised hundreds of pounds for Lisa and her family through an online appeal.
And this weekend Capella will run the Adidas Terrex Trail half-marathon in the Lake District with her pal Lucy Davies. All the money raised will go to Lisa and her family.
Capella, aged 50, of Bagnall, said: “I don’t know Lisa at all, I’ve never met her. My friend Jamie, is Lisa’s friend and has been posting loads of updates about her battle.
“I donated to a few fundraisers during her battle and followed her story through Jamie’s Facebook.
“Her children are so young, you just think it could be me or could be my friend or sister. To face that every day must be scary and horrible and so many things all at once. ”
Capella said she and Lucy, of Stone, picked Saturday’s race in the Lake
District because it was the only event they were both available for.
She said: “It’s too late for training plans, I’m just running for as long as I can every day in between work. The thing is, when you’re running it’s not that bad. You’ve just got to believe you can do it. How hard can it be?
“Every bit of money will go straight to them. Lucy and I have paid our own entry fees, I’ve borrowed trainers, every penny will go to the fundraiser. It’s such a clean transaction.
“When you read about Lisa’s blog you think she’s so resilient while facing such hardships, and she’s right on my doorstep.
“Lisa has remained really positive doing as many things as she can. She sent a message to say thanks very much and that she really appreciates what we’re doing.”
Capella has set up a Go Fund Me page called Coxon Memory Box, raising £775 of her £1,000 target.
The money will go directly to the Coxon family to help fund alternative treatment, child care, and to enable life experiences for her family while she has treatment.
Capella is urging everyone to donate to the cause. She said: “You’re going to make a difference to a family, paying for treatment or experiences for their family that will last the children the rest of their lives.
“I’ll be posting throughout the day while I’m running.”