A FATHER and son from Darlington are raising money for a charity close to their hearts before they tackle the Great North Run.

Paul and Ben Ryan decided to run the popular half-marathon in memory of wife and mother Rachel who died earlier this year after developing an aggressive form of oesophageal cancer aged just 47.

They have also enlisted the support of friends and running club members and have already raised more than £4,000 for St Teresa’s Hospice where staff cared for Rachel in her final few days.

Read more: Everything we know after Darlington fire destroys home and leaves family with nothing

Paul said: “Rachel began having acid reflux issues in January and in February was diagnosed with stage four cancer. It was so aggressive and had spread so quickly treatment was not possible and she died at St Teresa's Hospice in March.

“The love and care the staff showed Rachel, me, our two boys, Ben and Sam, her sister Caroline, and friends in her last few days was amazing and befitting of Rachel. So as #TeamRachel we are undertaking the Great North Run in order to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

“Rachel was always willing to go the extra mile for anyone in need, working firstly in education but latterly helping people escape debt with Christians Against Poverty.”

Paul has set up a Just Giving Page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamRachelRyan

Read more: 'We're devastated': Darlington family left with nothing after fire destroys their home

“I have been running for the past eight years as part of Quakers Running Club,” said Paul. “Ben has never run before, but has started training and if he sticks to the plan I’m sure he will beat me on the day.”

Rachel’s sister Caroline and best friends are also planning to run as are other friends and some members of the Quakers Club, including Michelle Boshier.

She said: “I’ve been involved with St Teresa’s for over 10 years, volunteering in the in-patient unit, helping with the events staged throughout the year, such as Bark in the Park and the Santa Run, with my son Lewis.

“Through lockdown in 2020 I couldn’t leave the house so I ran up and down my path for 2.6 miles as I was missing my running to raise money for St Teresa’s. Lockdown lasted longer than I thought – 105 days.

“I had a Great North Run place for St Teresa’s, which is an amazing place that gives support to many people and their families in their most difficult days. When Rachel died, at her celebration of life service, we agreed to run the Great North Run in her memory.”

Read more: Darlington students' volunteer work celebrated at college awards ceremony

Community support fundraiser Emily Robson said: “We’re lucky to have such an amazing community of runners supporting St Teresa’s every year. In September we expect to have 120 people taking part in the Great North Run and hope to raise in excess of £30,000 in aid of the hospice.

“There’s still time to sign up to join this dedicated team. In return, you’ll receive help from us to raise funds, as well as a running vest and access to our marquee at the finish line charity village, where I look forward to meeting our wonderful supporters.”

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054