Family set to take on Great South Run in memory of loving mum

Kieran Lane, 47, and his family are taking part in the Great South Run on October 16 and October 17 to pay tribute to his mum, Francis Lane, who sadly passed away in February of this year after a four-year long battle with cancer.

Francis, better known as Fran, was diagnosed with cancer in the late 90s and overcame the disease, but back in 2017, she was told the news that she had cancer again, but she had got secondary cancer that had spread to her liver and stomach.

The 70-year-old had battled her way through the vicious disease and had to have treatment, which included intravenous chemotherapy.

She would attend the Great South Run most years to cheer the runners on, and she even managed to attend last year’s run despite her deteriorating health.

Kieran said: ‘She would do anything for anyone and it is just nice to do something for the people that helped her and to give something back.’

She used to come along and watch it every year when she was well enough and she even came last year and she would stand at the bend and it just felt right to do it and it would be nice to remember her. It is going to be very emotional as she won’t be here this she and she should’ve been.’

This year, her family will take part in the run in her honour and her son, Kieran, is also taking part in the London Marathon to try and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support which helped support his mum when she was ill.

He will be joined in the Great South Run by his youngest sister, his eldest daughter, his nephew, his niece, his son, his youngest daughter, his other niece and a family friend.

Kieran added: ‘Not seeing my mum on the final bend cheering us on will be quite emotional.’

Kieran said that they have a bracelet that some of his mum’s ashes will go in so that she can do the run with them one final time.