Cancer survivor thanks charity with marathon run

A cancer survivor has signed up for this year's London Marathon in aid of the charity that supported her journey.

In 2020, Clare Ford was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after finding a lump in her neck.

The 55-year-old, who works at the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT) which runs Peterborough City Hospital, is now in remission and described her treatment as a "tough time".

Since her diagnosis, husband Brendan Ford and son Michael Ford have raised £11,300.

Ms Ford, from Grantham in Lincolnshire, is raising money for Lymphoma Action, which is believed to be the fifth most common cancer.

Talking about her cancer journey, Ms Ford said: "It came as a complete shock.

"The whole experience was made even worse as I went through my treatment during Covid, which meant I was unable to have anyone with me for support.

"It was a very tough time."

She said she would be "forever grateful" to the charity.

Her husband and son have run the London Marathon over the last couple of years.

She said she was inspired by her son, who ran 999 miles (1,608km) from John O' Groats in Scotland to Lands' End in Cornwall, via the three peaks, in 19 days.

Ms Ford is part of Grantham Running Club and first ran the marathon in 2014.

"The training so far has been challenging, particularly in the recent spell of cold weather, but I have been spurred on and motivated by wonderful family and friends," Ms Ford said.

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