Thousands raised in memory of Briercliffe mum who died of cancer

Angela O’Hara, from Foulridge, ran the London Marathon in memory of her younger sister, Cheryl Wood.

Cheryl died after a battle with cervical cancer, on March 23.

Angela applied for the marathon last year and is amazed that she managed to raise more than £5,000 for Pendleside Hospice, a charity that helped Cheryl throughout her diagnosis.

Angela O'Hara and Cheryl Wood (Image: Angela O'Hara)

Angela said: “I applied for the ballot for the marathon as she was diagnosed a year ago. Who would have thought two days after her funeral I’d be running it.”

Angela has managed to raise more than £5,500 via her JustGiving page so far.

“It’s simply amazing how far and wide Cheryl’s story has been shared,” Angela said. “Her story has touched many hearts.”

Angela said the marathon was “emotional” and said she spotted many celebrities on the route.

She said: “The crowds, the music, the sights. The first 15 miles were amazing, I repeated ‘wow’ so many times, laughed, smiled, and soaked it all up.

Cheryl Wood (Image: Angela O'Hara)

“Hearing strangers call your name certainly keeps you going. I saw Joel Dommett, dressed in a piranha costume, and spotted my wonderful family on the way.

“I got a bit emotional, had cuddles and a selfie with them, and ran on.”

Angela said the race became tough after the 19-mile mark.

She said: “I had to dig deep as it got really tough. My quads and feet hurt but not for a minute did I consider giving up. My little sister Cheryl never did, so how on earth could I?

“At every mile marker said a little thanks to the people who generously donated to have their loved ones' name printed on my running vest for Pendleside Hospice.

Angela completed the marathon in four hours 23 minutes, beating her four-and-a-half hour target.

Angela O'Hara running the London Marathon (Image: Angela O'Hara)

She said: “I will most probably never run a marathon again, so why did I put myself through it?

"I endured four months of training and missed many social events because… and now the recovery from my poor depleted body has been challenging.

“My amazing little sister would have given anything for the opportunity to run the London Marathon or even to have watched me do it, but sadly that wasn’t meant to be, so she was certainly my why.

“Many people expected me to pull out of it when she died a month ago. What kept me going was the thought that I could give something back to Pendleside Hospice, a charity that has done so much to help Cheryl since she was diagnosed with cancer.

“They have to fund most of the costs they need to run this extremely amazing, supported, and peaceful hospice.

“I really do know how generous you have all been and that times are hard. If you have been moved by Cheryl’s story, if I’ve inspired you to sign up to run a marathon, or if you just feel a little bit sorry for my poor depleted body, I’d be chuffed to bits if you’d give a donation, however small.”

Angela’s JustGiving page can be found by searching ‘In memory of Cheryl Wood - fundraiser for Pendleside Hospice Angela's London Marathon’