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Maggie’s Highland is preparing for the return of its charity fundraiser that sees supporters run around Inverness Airports runway


By Imogen James

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Lizzie King and Charlotte Boa. Picture: Callum Mackay..
Lizzie King and Charlotte Boa. Picture: Callum Mackay..

Run the Runway, which takes place at night on August 27, will celebrate five years this year, with cakes, balloons and medals for participants.

One supporter of Maggie’s from Inverness, Lizzie King (42), has completed almost every single event for the charity as a way of giving back.

Mrs King was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2016, something that took her by surprise.

She spent the next year going through two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with Maggie’s by her side the whole way.

Mrs King said the support was great as they offered a range of different groups to meet people.

She continued: “Being able to just go for a coffee and have a chat was great. It was good to meet other women in the same boat which was a major help for me because as much as all the leaflets and the books can tell you, when you get it from somebody who goes through the same thing it’s a massive support.

“Maggie’s for me was never a sad place to be, it was always really welcoming and warming. I know I can go in any time. I tell so many friends to go along if they need to.

“There’s a massive financial burden when you get cancer and Maggie’s are also there to help support you with that.”

The charity also helped her children who were six and eight at the time. They got to go into treatment rooms and see what happens so they could understand what their mum was going through.

Now, Lizzie shows no signs of disease, but she still holds Maggie’s close to her heart and continues to help them.

The first time Lizzie ran the 5km event, she said she realised how damaging the chemo had been to her.

She struggled, but it got her into running and now she leads a JogScotland group in Inverness.

Some years Mrs King opted not to run but to hand out medals to participants, which she described as rewarding.

“It was just lovely,” she added. “I found it really emotional seeing people come over the line knowing exactly how they feel. It felt a complete privilege to be able to give them their medal.

“Without people like that I wouldn’t have got the support through Maggie’s. The support is invaluable. I can’t praise them enough.”

Those who take part are asked to raise at least £115.

Mrs King will be tackling the event again this year with her aunt, Jill Thomas. Ms Thomas did it four years ago and only managed to walk the course.

Since then, she has lost 10 stone and will run the course, something that Lizzie said she will find emotional.

To those thinking about signing up, Mrs King said: “One hundred per cent do it. It’s a different kind of running challenge, it’s all flat, it’s a great experience, they have amazing raffles on and most importantly it’s the funds for Maggie’s.

“From the mental side of it, Maggie’s has saved peoples lives. You can’t put a price on that. I’ve made some forever friends at Maggie’s.”

So what are you waiting for? Sign up here.


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