Pontefract woman creates her own 'Race for Life' after being diagnosed with breast cancer

Sharon Ridgway, who had lived in Spain for 12 years with her family, moved back to the UK after discovering an inch-wide lump on her breast.

After finding out it was cancer the family made the decision to move back to the UK to be with her parents and children.

Sharon said: “We went into lockdown on March 14 in Spain, it was really strict so I was running 5k in my garage a few times a week, and 10k on a stationary bike - I felt so fit and healthy for it.

“But one morning just before lockdown, I found the lump.

“I don’t know how I missed it, but anyway I went to get it looked at privately because of the Covid pandemic, and I paid £700 for a test, the results weren’t looking good - I knew it was later.

“We packed up our camper-van and drove back to England, to be with my parents and our other five children all together.

“The NHS has been amazing, a week later I found out through them the cancer is triple negative, the only thing I could have is chemo and maybe radiotherapy, nothing else kills triple negative - ironically I walked out happy because it hadn’t spread.

“Since my triple negative diagnosis, I’ve been positive compared to most - I didn’t think I’d make it to my 47th birthday, at first I thought it was my end of days and I’d die in mum's house.”

“I’m still on chemo, which started in June, I’ve got five more weeks of treatment left.

“I’ve recently received the excellent news that I can have my double mastectomy in December, which means both my breasts will be removed and reconstructed.”

In early September, Sharon announced that she would be taking part in her very own ‘Race for life’ - walking 5km around Pontefract, with the help of her children, to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK.

Sharon promoted her fundraiser with a Facebook group, and she raised £1,468 all together.

The walk took place on Saturday, September 26 at 11am at the Carleton pub, where Sharon met with her family and close friends.

To Sharon’s surprise, old friends and acquaintances were also in attendance to support her.

Her partner, Mark, documented the event, taking videos and pictures of the walkers.

Sharon said: “The fundraiser was crazy, I really didn't expect the reception it received, so many people donated.

“One person donated £200 to my cause which was incredible.

“The day of the walk itself was really good, I only set out to do it with my kids but loads of people turned up, even people I didn’t expect to see, all wearing pink.

“We all set off, socially distanced of course, towards East Hardwick and along the main road towards the fields and back again, where we all had fun doing cartwheels and laughing together.

“The walk was about raising money and awareness, if I had checked my breasts, I may have found it earlier.”