Keighley News

Cullingworth woman runs London Marathon in memory of brother

12:30pm Sunday 14th March 2010

A woman from Cullingworth will run the London Marathon in memory of her brother who died of cancer at the age of 25.

Gill Capstick is gearing herself up for the big day on Sunday, April 25, when she will run to raise money for the Candlelighters charity.

She said: “James lived in Denholme, where I ran the village hairdressers for 13 years, and he was well known and well liked in the area.

“He played football for Oxenhope and made many good friends during his time there.

“He always had a smile for everyone, young and old, and worked at Merritt and Fryers, in Skipton.

“He lost his battle with liver cancer in August 2000. It was a rare childhood cancer that had lain dormant for years and surfaced when he was 23.

“Due to the type of cancer, he was treated at St James’s Hospital in Leeds on the children’s ward and teenage unit.”

She said during the time her brother spent on the ward, she got an insight into the work done by Candlelighters.

The charity is dedicated to combating childhood cancer, leukaemia and serious blood disorders and tries to make the lives of children and their families more bearable.

Mrs Capstick added: “As a family we miss James so much and to be able to give something back in his memory means an awful lot.

“I’m a member of Keighley and Craven Athletics Club. I’ve run a couple of half marathons before, but have never tackled a marathon.

“I’m 40 this year and I decided it was a good time to see if I was up to the challenge. Training is going well, although it isn’t easy fitting it in sometimes.”

Mrs Capstick works at Leeds City College Keighley Campus, as a part time hairdressing lecturer.

She is married with three children and said her family members were looking forward to going to London to cheer her on.

She said: “Friends and family have been really generous and I am hoping that other people who knew James or know me will sponsor me as every penny helps towards this great cause.

“I would like to raise as much as possible in memory of James.”

People can sponsor her online by visiting her Justgiving fundraising page at justgiving.com/Gill-Capstick.

For more information about Candlelighters, go to the charity’s website at candlelighters.org.uk.

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