Sue's run is tribute to her friend

Richard Perry, of Wormbridge, had just settled in to family life with his wife Christina and his son William when he lost his battle against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on January 19, aged 28.

After hearing the sad news, Sue Pugh, a 24-year-old fitness instructor from Allensmore, decided to run this Sunday's Muddy Woody 6 challenge at Haugh Woods to gain valuable funding for medical research.

"Richard was a devoted husband, father, son and brother, who was hugely liked and admired by all who knew him," explained Sue.

"I had already planned to run the race, but when Richard died, I thought I could raise some money to help discover more about the illness."

Richard's sister Kate is fully supporting Sue and says she is far from alone.

"My brother was very well-known in the farming community and also in sporting circles," she said. "He played golf at Leominster, football for Longtown and ran cross-country events himself, so I'm sure a lot of people will want to help.

"We have already raised around £2,000 from the 300 people who turned up for his funeral, so the fundraising has already begun. Everyone has been so supportive, just as they were when Richard was diagnosed with leukaemia last February.

"Our family would especially like to thank all the staff at the Charles Renton Unit at Hereford hospital and those who helped with the bone marrow transplant in Bristol."

At the Sixth Sense gym, Sue is in training for a race with many different objectives.

"Obviously I would like to run a good time and finish in a good position, but the most important thing is to raise money for the charity," she said.

"The Leukaemia Research Fund is the only national charity devoted exclusively to improving treatments, finding cures and investigating the causes and prevention of cancers of the blood and related conditions in children and adults," she added.

To sponsor Sue call 01432 341962.