Woman ready to run marathon for friend with incurable cancer

A HARTLEPOOL woman is taking on the London Marathon to raise money for a cancer charity after her friend's incurable diagnosis.

- By KIRSTIE MCCRUM [e-mail] @TeessideLive

Keen runner Lucy Abbey knew there was just one charity she wanted to support when she decided to apply for a place on the renowned run.

Her friend and work colleague, Julie Waines, had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

Lucy has now secured a place to run the 26.2 miles through central London on April 27 in aid of Leukaemia and Myeloma Research UK (LMRUK).

Lucy said: "I was very sad to hear the news about Julie's diagnosis. We've worked together for seven years, and she is hugely missed in the office - she's a lovely, friendly person who is bursting with warmth and kindness."

Lucy, 37, from Hartlepool and Julie, 65, from Billingham, work at Northern Power-grid in Stockton.

Julie knew she was unwell when she started falling asleep at work and had to spend her lunch breaks taking a nap in her car.