Marlborough Race For Life latest

4:58pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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CITY finance dealer Federica Parise will be running in memory of her mother when she takes part in the Marlborough Race for Life on June 1.

Ms Parise, 43, who lives at West Overton, will give up making money as a corporate dealer in London for the day to instead make money for Cancer Research UK.

She will be running in memory of her mother Maria, who died aged 65 from ovarian cancer in 2006, and also for a close friend who died from breast cancer.

She said: "I cannot describe what it feels like to watch your own mother die.

"I still wake up hoping it was only a nightmare and that the pain will go but unfortunately it does not happen.

"She spent three months in hospital and during that time I watched the hard work of doctors and nurses looking after her 24/7 and never giving up hope.

"I also realised how expensive it is to support a cancer unit. That is why I want to do my bit for Cancer Research because I believe that one day somewhere in the world a cure will be found."

Ms Parise, whose mother lived in Venice in Italy, has been living in the UK for about 20 years.

She said some good had come from her mother's death as her corneas had been successfully transplanted to two recipients.

She hopes to raise between £300 to £350 sponsorship in the Race For Life.

The City dealer has also taken part in other fund raising events.

Recently she took part in a sponsored ride for Riding For The Disabled and walked the 26 mile Sarsen Trail from Avebury to Stonehenge on May 4.

And last week she ran in another Race for Life, in Battersea, South London.

Similar events are being organised throughout the length and breadth of Britain for the cancer charity.

Since the first Race For Life in 1974, the events have raised more than £200 million nationwide to help finance research into cancer, treatments and cures.

There are 1,500 places in the Marlborough race on June 1 which the charity hopes will bring in more than £99,000.

Area events manager Natasha Russell said the Marlborough event was always great fun although many of those who were taking part had sad reasons for running.

Ms Russell is expecting competitors aged from five to 85 to take part in the female-only Race For Life around the grounds of Marlborough College on June 1.

Those wishing to take part in the race can enter via the charity's website www.raceforlife.org or call 08701 602040 for an information and entry pack.