Sharon to relax after year of charity trials

PRESENTATION of cheque for £2,200 to Maggie's Oldham by runner Sharon Livesey. From left, Wayne Sutherland (site manager), Jo Taylor (centre visitor), Laura Tomlinson (fundraising manager), Sharon Livesey

A DETERMINED fundraiser swam across lakes, cycled hundreds of miles and ran a marathon in her year-long challenge in aid of Maggie's Oldham Cancer Centre.

Sharon Livesey (38) completed 35 challenges over the course of 11 months in her bid to raise funds for the brand new centre, which is currently under construction at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

The mum-of-two, from Derker, even took her challenge international, completing the Ironman 70.3 Busselton in Australia, a 1.9km swim, 90.1km cycle and 21.1km run, and completed the Manchester Marathon in just over four hours, an impressive result for her first ever marathon attempt.

She also ran, cycled and even kayaked 105 miles across Scotland in the Rat Race Coast to Coast and swam 5.25 miles in the freezing Coniston Water.

These were combined with a variety of 10k, 7k and half-marathon runs alongside triathlons and open water swims, which helped her to raise over £1,900 for Maggie's Oldham.

Sharon, who owns Mario Hair Design in Oldham town centre, said: "I'm really pleased with how the year went and how much I was able to raise.

Support

"I had fantastic support from my family, friends, customers, runners and triathletes.

"I even had support from people I'd never met before but who had heard about my challenges.

"Taking part in the Ironman in Australia was amazing but the toughest challenge was definitely the Coniston water swim.

"Although it can't have been that bad as I'm already planning to do it again."

After taking part in her first year-long fundraising campaign in aid of Springboard Dementia Carers Group in 2015, Sharon was inspired to help Maggie's Oldham after hearing about the charity through the Oldham Chronicle.

She said: "I wanted to choose a local charity to help again this year and Maggie's seemed like the perfect choice.

"Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and it's important that people have somewhere like Maggie's where they can go for help and advice in a welcoming environment.

"It's great to see the development starting to take shape and the building work in progress.

"I can't wait to see it when it's finished."

After her year of exhausting challenges, Sharon is happy to be taking December off from competitions.

Sharon, who trains five to six times a week, said: "I'll still be training hard but I'm looking forward to a relaxing Christmas at home."

Sharon's fundraising page is still open for donations. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/sharon-livesey1

Sharon joined other Maggie's supporters to get a sneak peak at the progress on the Oldham development.

She was joined by Jo Taylor, from Diggle, who has experienced the care that Maggie's can offer.

Jo was diagnosed with secondary incurable breast cancer almost three years ago and undergoes treatment at The Christie in Withington every three weeks.

The mum-of-two regularly visits the Maggie's Manchester centre, which opened earlier this year and sits just across the road from the hospital.

She said: "Maggie's is a godsend for cancer patients.

"The centre and all the staff are incredibly welcoming.

"You can just stop by for a drink and somewhere quiet to sit and relax or you can get involved with activities and events going on."

Maggie's centres offer a variety of opportunities, ranging from yoga and Tai Chi to benefits advice and choir singing, and those visiting the centre can get involved with as much or as little as they choose.

Jo (47) said: "You can also browse the library and chat to members of staff.

"It is also a place where you can meet other people in a similar situation and that can really help.

"Reading a leaflet you've been given is ok, but it doesn't compare to actually speaking to people who are going through cancer as well and hearing about their experiences.

Beneficial

"It is incredibly beneficial for patients."

Jo, who regularly fundraises for The Christie and for research into cancer resistance to chemotherapy, is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Oldham centre next year.

She said: "Maggie's centres are so well designed and the environment is so different to a hospital.

"I'm sure the Oldham centre will be incredibly beneficial to all cancer patients in the area and I am looking forward to seeing the completed building."

Jo also runs the ABC Diagnosis website, which is designed to support primary and secondary breast cancer patients to make informed choices and uses her own experiences alongside links and other research to provide more information for patients.