More than 30 friends and family are putting their best foot forward for a sponsored run in memory of a devoted friend, mother and wife who died after a year-long battle with a brain tumour.
Ruth Mehmed, 34, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January last year after showing “stroke-like symptoms” on a ski holiday with husband Danny.
Having rushed her to hospital, doctors found the cause, and operated on the tumour coincidently on the date of daughter Lydia’s first birthday.
However, Ruth’s year-long treatment wasn’t enough to defeat the condition, and she died on December 6.
Now, the family have decided to take on the Ipswich half Marathon in September, to raise money for a bench in her honour.
Danny said: “Me and Ruth came down to watch my brother James do it last year, and we were really inspired by the amount of people who turned out.
“I laughed and joked saying it was something I would never do, so I am really proud that everyone will be joining me.”
Danny’s brother James and more than 30 others will be running for the cause, including friends from as far afield as New York and Kidderminster coming especially for the occasion,
James Mehmed, 41, said: “It’s just grown and grown with more people wanting to sign up, and the thing that’s really interesting is you have runners who have run at a very high level and people who are now learning to run so you have a great mix of people getting involved.”
With an initial target of £500 to pay for a bench in Ruth’s honour, the family’s story has captured the hearts of dozens of well-wishers, and has already raised nearly £3,000 more than two months ahead of the event, with the surplus money going towards Brain Tumour Research.
Danny added: “We had bought a house in Corder Road and Lydia is hopefully going to St Margaret’s Primary School, so having a bench in Christchurch Park will give her somewhere she can feel close to her mum.
“Brain tumour research is underfunded so we wanted to give something back. Treatment for a lot of cancers has improved but for brain tumours it’s still really hard.”
Supported by Martlesham-based GM Supplies, which has helped the 36-runners with customised shirts for the run, the group will be running with Ruth’s image in their continued support.
Danny added: “Ruth would be really proud. I think she would be embarrassed by the images of her on the shirts, but people who I haven’t spoken to for a while have been coming and saying they want to do the running which is great.”
To donate to Running for Ruth, visit the Go Fund Me page
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