Christie team saved my life

BEST foot forward . . . Tricia Penrose with her mum Sue Gordon

CROSSING the line in the Great Manchester Run on May 22 will mean more to Oldham-born “Heartbeat” actress Tricia Penrose than just chalking up a decent time.

That’s because she is raising money for The Christie, the specialist cancer centre in Withington which saved her mum’s life.

Sue Gordon, a psychiatric nurse at the Royal Oldham Hospital, was given only weeks to live after she was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 2010.

Miraculously she survived thanks to intensive treatment from The Christie. Sue (62), from Chadderton, said: “When I was told I had an inoperable tumour, I thought I was dying and didn’t hold out much hope of seeing my grandchildren grow up.

“I had radiotherapy every day for six weeks and thankfully the drugs and chemotherapy also took effect.

“I still get breathless and need a portable oxygen machine but the tumour has shrunk to just two centimetres. The Christie saved my life. I’d be thrilled if people support Tricia’s fundraising efforts.”

Tricia, who played bubbly barmaid Gina Ward in ITV’s “Heartbeat”, lives in Macclesfield with husband Mark Simpkin, a former TV presenter and businessman, and sons Jake (12) and Freddy (seven).

She is taking part in the 10km Great Manchester Run for the third time and said: “I’m so thankful mum’s still here and The Christie has been fantastic.”

Tricia and New Order bassist Peter Hook are among 1,800 runners who will take part in this year’s Great Manchester Run in aid of The Christie.

Join the team at www.christies.org/gmror or enter the run at www.greatrun.org/ Manchester.