Race for Life team raises thousands in tribute to north-east mum
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Family and friends of an inspirational Aberdeenshire mum who passed away following a courageous battle against cancer have joined together in an emotional tribute at the Race for Life event in Aberdeen.
A team of 25 ran and walked in memory of Julie Williams during the Aberdeen Race for Life on Sunday July 2.
The group has already raised more than £35,000 for Cancer Research UK thanks to supporters from across the world.
That total will rise to over £40,000 following generous corporate backing from companies including BP, Expro, Shell, Gleneagles and Harbro.
The team raised the largest total among the groups taking part in the Aberdeen event and included three of the top five individual fundraisers.
Julie, a devoted wife to Mark and loving mum to children Oliver (12) and Lucy (eight), was 46 when she passed away on May 30.
Raised in Kennethmont and a pupil of the Gordon Schools in Huntly before settling in Banchory with her young family, hundreds gathered at Baldarroch Crematorium in Crathes for a ceremony of remembrance and celebration of her life on June 8.
Julie, an HR professional with Harbro who previously held senior positions with John Lewis following her graduation from the University of Stirling, was first diagnosed with cancer four years ago.
She showed incredible strength and determination during long periods of treatment, including completing the Kilt Walk in between hospital stays last year.
Family and friends had those memories of Julie’s courage in mind as they crossed the finish line at the weekend’s 10k event – as well as the sense of fun that touched all who knew her.
Mark said: “Julie loved and lived life fully.
"The impact she had on me and on Oliver and Lucy is beyond measure, I wish everyone could have a Julie in their life.
"We were together for over 20 years and they were the best of my life. We all miss her immensely.
“The love and support shown to us over the past month has meant so much and the response to the Race for Life, from all those who took part as well as everyone who has been involved in fundraising and sending words of encouragement, has been a big part of that.
“On behalf of the whole family, we’re very grateful to everyone who completed the course and who have donated in Julie’s name. We’re so proud of the team and were there to cheer them over the finish line on Sunday.
“The work of Cancer Research UK is so important and we also want to thank everyone who was with Julie and our family through the journey that patients and their loved ones go on together.
"That includes the amazing staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, including the Accident and Emergency teams, through to Roxburghe House, the Glen O’ Dee Hospital and charities including Macmillan Cancer Support and Friends of ANCHOR. We’ve seen at first-hand the love and compassion that follows a diagnosis.”
More than £2600 raised at the ceremony of remembrance has been divided between Roxburghe House, to help improve provision for family members staying on site, the Glen O’ Dee Hospital and Friends of Anchor. Further fundraising for a number of related causes is planned by Julie’s family, friends and colleagues.
Julie’s sister Lynn Dawson was part of the group that took part in the Race for Life, with more than £10,000 donated by her supporters alone, and her parents Ron and Phyllis Dawson were at the event to mark the occasion with the team.
Lynn said: “Our hearts are broken after losing Julie. It was emotional to have so many of her closest friends together to pay tribute – but we know she was looking down on us with the big, beaming smile that brought so much joy to all of our lives.
“We took part in the Race for Life to remember my fabulous sister but also to support a fantastic cause in Cancer Research UK. The generosity from all who have donated is phenomenal and shows how truly loved Julie was by so many people.”
The team comprised: Alison Tennant; Ashley Reekie; Caroline Anderson; Charlotte Clarke, Coral Smith; Dawn Flett; Debbie Hamilton; Emma Arundel; Fiona Macdonald; Gersende Curtis; Helen Dallas; Jeannie Duthie; Joanne Burt; Karen Finnie; Katherine Glass; Katie Gillies; Katie Wight; Kerry Ings; Laura Totten; Lynn Dawson; Nicola Stewart; Nicola Watt; Sarah Clark; Shaheen Salaripour and Silvia Fiddes.
Charlotte Clarke flew in especially for the event from her home in Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, Australia, to make a surprise appearance at the start line and take the contingent to 25.
Julie’s friend Laura Totten, who led the team, said: “Words cannot begin to describe what Julie meant to us.
"She was a beautiful lady who had time for everyone and is so missed by us all.
“When we found out Julie was reaching the end of her journey, we decided to do what we could to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and entered the Race for Life. What started as a team of seven quickly grew to 24 and became 25 on the day. The donations have exceeded all of our expectations.
“We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who has lent their support - to join together in Julie’s name has meant the world to us and the way people have got behind it has been truly humbling.”
A further team led by another of Julie’s friends, Julianne Veale, took part in a fundraising walk in Ireland to coincide with the Race for Life and added £600 to the total.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all who knew and loved Julie for supporting our life-saving work. Our thoughts are with Julie’s family and our heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who contributed to raising a phenomenal amount in her memory at Race for Life Aberdeen.
“Funds raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. All of us can support the research that will beat it so people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.”
Donations to the Walking 9-5 team can be made online: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/the-super-seven-1
