Breast cancer survivor Cath Ray and husband Ian enter final third of £20,024 charity fundraiser
A Bollington family affected by breast cancer are in the final third of their epic 12-month fundraiser for charity.
Cath Ray and Ian Ray, want to raise at least £20,024 for the charity Prevent Breast Cancer.
Ian is doing this by running 2024 kilometres (1257.6 miles) throughout the year.
Cath, who is recovering from breast cancer treatment, is also hosting fundraising events across the Macclesfield area to help them reach this astronomical figure.
Four months after we last caught up with the Ray family, Macclesfield Nub News went for a run with Cath and Ian to find out how things are going, with just three months to go.
"We are doing a year-long fundraiser for the charity Prevent Breast Cancer," said Cath.
"Ian wants to run 2024 kilometres in 2024, and raise £20,024 for Prevent Breast Cancer."
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2023, and also had a mastectomy then, so the challenge will conclude one year on at the end of December 2024."
"I am doing a lot of the running with Ian. But unfortunately, Ian has said my miles do not count.
"Fundraising wise, we are well over halfway, we are at £13,435.24 without GiftAid, with GiftAid that is an extra £2,773.39. [Total £16,207.63]."
"I'm doing well with the distance. On target. Each month, I just about scrape through," said Ian.
"When it is 500km to go, I am going to start doing a countdown, because mentally that will be the most challenging, going into autumn and winter and keeping it up."
Eternally grateful for the 332 people who have donated on JustGiving so far, Cath and Ian are going to put on some unmissable events in the community.
It will keep their campaigning fresh, and serve as another way to fundraise (and indeed thank those who contributed) for the cause.
Businesses such as The Mulberry Leaf has also been very supportive of their cause.
"We are also hosting fundraising events in the local area like a wine tasting evening," said Cath.
"Also a friend of ours, Simon, is a vegan chef who is going to do a pop-up menu also in Bollington, and maybe at Cornershop Coffee in Macclesfield as well."
"Cornershop Coffee in Macclesfield are good friends of ours, they have also been very supportive," revealed Ian.
"They have a coffee shop running club. So we are also going to be doing a run with them, and they are going to be sponsoring Ray Runs.
"The football club have been great too. Both our sons play for Bollington United FC. They have agreed to do an activity where the kids might run 2024 metres, and everybody who wants to donate can donate a small amount."
"Also, [in the run-up to the festive period] we are going to do a raffle.
"I am looking to go around businesses in Macclesfield and Bollington, in the next couple of weeks, and see if anyone wants to give raffle prizes.
"We will aim to have the raffle at one of the other events."
"If anybody has any suggestions to what else we could do, that would be great," chimed in Ian.
"We would also like to say a special thank you to TAPA restaurant in Bollington, added Cath.
"Every Monday night, they have 50% off food, with a £2 donation per table to a charity.
"And they have chose our fundraiser, so donated £500 at the start of the month. So we are really grateful for them and their customers for that, so thank you.
"Nick Lane, and everyone at Synergist in Bollington have also donated a lot. When I first had my treatment, we held a curry night at our house, and Nick donated loads for that, so thank you to him.
"And of course, a massive thank you to all our friends, colleagues, local businesses, sports clubs and everyone who has showed their support."
Furthermore, the charity has continued to be a source of support to both physical, and mental health.
"They have been really good about staying in touch," said Cath.
"They are such an important charity in my opinion, as one in six women will get breast cancer, and the charity is all about prevention.
"They have lots of arms like research, training radiographers and education, early detection of breast cancer is vital."
When pressed about the wonders running has done for Ian's mental health, throughout this turbulent year, Ian had this to say:
"Running has helped me massively," he revealed.
"I can contribute only by my support to Cath, but running has enabled to help those organisations that have helped her directly.
"This financial contribution will be hopefully a big help for them. And continue their great work. Because the service and amazing support she has had, has been brilliant."
When she was diagnosed, Cath told friends and family that she did not want any presents.
She wanted to support the charity which has heped her. So looking to Christmas, and the conclusion of the challenge, Cath shared that does not want Christmas presents this year.
"What they should get us instead, is a donation to the Ray Runs fundraiser, in aid of Prevent Breast Cancer, she said.
"No money spent on useless stuff!"
Macclesfield: You can donate to the online charity crowdfunder HERE.
You can read the previous Nub News article with the Ray family HERE.
A video about the Ray family can be watched by clicking the 'PLAY' button at the top of this article.
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