What Inspires People Like Lucy Kendrick From Beverley To Run For Yorkshire Cancer Research?

Lucy Kendrick and others are inspired to run the Great North Run for Yorkshire Cancer Research by personal experiences with cancer, a desire to honor loved ones, and a commitment to funding lifesaving research. Emotional connections and a strong community spirit motivate participants to support the charity’s mission.

Ever wondered what makes someone decide to run a half marathon? It's a huge undertaking, right? For many, it's about more than just personal fitness. It's about something bigger. Across Yorkshire, there are so many stories of truly inspiring people pushing themselves to cover remarkable distances. And often, the motivation comes from a place of deep friendship and support.

This is exactly what happened with Lucy Kendrick from Beverley. Her story, and that of her close friend Jade Ashworth, shines a light on why so many people get involved with a charity like Yorkshire Cancer Research and take on massive challenge events. It's a story about strength, friendship, and the collective hope for a cancer-free future.

A friend's unexpected journey

Sometimes life throws a massive curveball when you least expect it. That's what happened to Jade Ashworth back in March 2025. For months, she'd been dealing with horrible migraines and sensitivity to light, along with other symptoms that just felt off. She did what any of us would do and booked an optician's appointment, probably hoping for a new pair of glasses and an end to the headaches. But the opticians saw something that worried them - swelling around her eyes. So much so, they sent her straight to A&E.

Things moved incredibly quickly from there. Less than ten days after that first scan, Jade was in hospital for surgery. It's the kind of situation that's impossible to prepare for. Jade puts it plainly: "All I heard was that I had an aggressive brain tumour and may only have 18 months left. From there, it was a whirlwind." That moment, hearing a cancer diagnosis, is life-altering. The shock and fear are unimaginable, yet Jade's response was nothing short of incredible. Her story is a powerful reminder of how a cancer diagnosis can affect anyone, highlighting the need for greater awareness and better treatments.

Finding strength and looking ahead

Even in the darkest of times, people can find a reserve of strength they never knew they had. Faced with the toughest news, Jade was determined to stay positive. She explained, "Even though it was one of the hardest times of my life, I was determined to keep a positive outlook throughout." And that strength paid off. The surgeons were able to remove most of the tumour, which was a huge step forward. After the surgery, the news got even better. The medical team told her she would need less treatment than they first thought.

Imagine the relief. Just before her birthday, Jade was told that the cancer could be treated with radiotherapy. This is a type of treatment that uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. For Jade, this news changed everything. "Now, I just want to enjoy every day to the full," she said. And she's doing just that. She's getting back to her routine, baking, spending time with loved ones, and even dancing on stage again. Her journey shows the massive impact that effective treatments can have, all made possible through years of dedicated cancer research.

How friendship fuels remarkable distances

Seeing a close friend go through something so terrifying often makes you feel a bit helpless. You want to do something, anything, to show your support. Jade's friend, Lucy Kendrick from Beverley, found her way to help. She decided to channel all her support for Jade into something positive and challenging: running the Great North Run.

The Great North Run isn't just a jog in the park; it's a 13-mile half marathon. Training for something like that takes serious dedication. But Lucy had the best motivation she could ask for. "Thinking of her kept me going throughout my training and during the race," Lucy said. "I knew that if Jade could get through her cancer diagnosis and come out the other side dancing, I could get through 13 miles!" This incredible act of friendship is a perfect example of what drives so many dedicated fundraisers. It's not just about raising money for a charity; it's a personal pledge, a way to stand beside someone you care about and fight with them. This is the kind of powerful support that fuels the work of organisations like Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The bigger picture for Yorkshire

Lucy's run is just one story among many across the region. This year, supporters taking part in challenge events for Yorkshire Cancer Research have clocked up nearly 8,000 miles. That's like running from Leeds to New York and back! Through events like the Great North Run and the Yorkshire Marathon, an amazing £233,000 has been raised so far, as of 30 October 2025. This money is absolutely vital.

So, where does it go? It helps this brilliant charity in its mission to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer right here in Yorkshire. The charity is currently funding a whopping £75 million of cancer research and services. This gives 182,000 people across Yorkshire and beyond the chance to join innovative clinical trials. What does that mean? Basically, these are studies where new treatments and medicines are tested to see if they're better than the current ones. The charity also provides fantastic research-backed services, offering practical help and support based on the very latest science. Every single penny raised by inspiring people helps make these life-saving initiatives possible.

A message of thanks and hope for a cancer-free future

The collective effort of fundraisers across Yorkshire doesn't go unnoticed. Dr Kathryn Scott, the Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, had a message for everyone who has taken part in challenge events.

"It's been an incredible year for challenge events, with people from across Yorkshire setting ambitious goals and taking on remarkable distances for a cancer-free future. Thank you to the dedicated fundraisers who have contributed to ground-breaking cancer research and helped to save lives in Yorkshire."

It's a powerful thank you to all the inspiring people who are making a real difference. The journey towards a world without cancer is a long one, but it's powered by individual stories of hope, friendship, and determination. People like Lucy Kendrick and Jade Ashworth show us that when communities come together to support a charity, incredible things can happen. Their story is a testament to the power of support in the face of a cancer diagnosis and the huge impact of local cancer research in the fight for a healthier future for everyone in the region.