This eight-year-old ran the Race for Life in memory of his grandparents

AN eight-year-old who lost both of his grandparents just two weeks apart as a result of cancer has completed the Race for Life.
Joe and Anthony Wooldrige. Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-31)Joe and Anthony Wooldrige. Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-31)
Joe and Anthony Wooldrige. Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-31)

Joe Woolridge said: ‘My grandfather and grandmother both had cancer and died when I was five.

‘I am running today and raising money in their memory. So far I have raised £285.

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‘I hope that by raising money I can help find a cure for cancer.’

Joe and Anthony Wooldrige. Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-31)Joe and Anthony Wooldrige. Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-31)
Joe and Anthony Wooldrige. Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-31)

Joining Joe on the five-kilometre run was dad, Anthony Wooldridge.

Anthony said: ‘It is special being able to run together in memory of my father and Joe’s grandfather. Mog, as my dad liked to be known, passed away with lung cancer three years ago. Cancer Research UK is such a great cause and today is all about raising money as well as the profile of the disease and the impact it can have on people’s lives.’

Within a fortnight of losing Mog, Joe found out his grandmother had also sadly died.

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Mum, Lucie Capaldi, said: ‘My step-mum, Jill Smithwaite, passed away shortly after Joe had lost his grandfather. She also had lung cancer. While today can’t bring them back it is such a positive experience and you feel that something good can come out of people’s loss.’

Pictured is: Molly, Ellen and Millie - Case Study

Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-263)Pictured is: Molly, Ellen and Millie - Case Study

Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-263)
Pictured is: Molly, Ellen and Millie - Case Study Picture: Keith Woodland (070719-263)

Anthony added: ‘Running today was Joe’s idea and we are both proud to see him taking part.’

Also taking part were the Sewell family who have experienced mixed emotions in the face of cancer.

Molly, aged 11, Milly, 13, and mother, Ellen, all took part in the five-kilometre race.

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Molly, who was the first under 16 to complete the race, said: ‘My grandfather had cancer and survived but my uncle, Neil Harley, died when he was in his forties, due to the disease.’

Milly added: ‘So far we have raised £280 which will hopefully help more people to get better when they get cancer.’

The family have been running together ever since Neil sadly passed away.

Ellen said: ‘We have been taking part in the Race for Life since Neil was first diagnosed. Today’s atmosphere was amazing and the event really brings everyone together. We often run together to raise money for cancer research.’

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