A group of parents will be running, walking and cycling 31 miles over the course of January to raise money in memory of a nine-year-old girl who died of cancer.
Jessica Macqueen, a perfectly healthy schoolgirl at Holy Rood Catholic Primary School, died on October 18, 2019, just four months after a devastating cancer diagnosis.
Described as the “heartbeat of the family”, Jessica was known as an active child as she partook in horse riding, swimming and gymnastics.
The nine-year-old’s life was celebrated by a group of 23 parents who last year raised £11,000 in memory of her, running 10 kilometres through Cassiobury Park dressed as unicorns.
From what started as a small group of mothers deciding to run, a total of 23 parents became interested in raising money for the charity.
And now they are back at it again, this time planning to run, walk and cycle 31 miles over January to raise money for Alice’s Arc, a charity that works alongside Great Ormond Street Hospital, funding research into finding a cure and less harsh treatments for rhabdomyosarcoma, the rare cancer that claimed Jessica’s life.
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The month-long event will have children and adults participating, and everyone can take part at their own pace.
Charlene Taylor, the mother of a boy in Jessica’s year group at the school, was one of those who joined last year’s run, and is continuing on the campaign this year.
She said: “Doing ongoing events is essential to keep raising awareness of childhood cancers and to help maximise the opportunities to make progress understanding and find better ways of treating rhabdomyosarcoma. Most importantly keeping Jess’s memory alive, honour her strength and keep her fight going.”
Speaking to the Watford Observer last year, she said was shocked when she first became aware there was not enough funding for this type of cancer, and felt strongly about supporting Alice’s Arc.
She said: “I wasn’t aware of it – it’s not until you reach these things that you realise there’s a lack of funding. There should be more money for there to be more of a chance to live.”
Speaking of Simon and Laura, Jessica’s parents, Ms Taylor said: “They’ve been fantastic, their strength is incredible, and no parent should have to go through what they’ve been through.
“But it is a day-by-day process and they do have great support from all of the parents.
“We’re doing this in memory of Jessica, she was a wonderful girl who was incredibly polite, and everyone will miss her terribly.”
Jessica’s parents are in “full support” of the continued campaign this year.
In May 2019 Jessica’s family tested a lump on Jessica’s foot and were told that Jessica had haemangioma, a type of non-cancerous tumour in children.
It was not until she was seen by specialists at the Great Ormond Street Hospital that Jessica was diagnosed with stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma – a highly aggressive cancer of soft tissue or bone.
To raise money for the current fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jessiemacqueen
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