‘Four of our family members were diagnosed with cancer in four years – we had to do something’

‘The hard work we’re doing is nothing compared to what they’ve been through’

A couple who saw four of their close family members diagnosed with cancer in just four years are running 12 half marathons in 12 months to raise money for The Christie Charity after seeing first-hand the impact of its care.

Deb and Alex Beachell, originally from Manchester, will take on the ASICS Manchester Half Marathon this October as part of their challenge, having already completed eight races so far.

Deb and her wife Alex decided to take on the challenge after four members of their family, Alex’s mum and stepdad, as well as Deb’s dad and brother, were diagnosed with cancer over the last four to five years.

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The couple, who met at Manchester Pride 20 years ago and have been married for 13 years, say they want to give something back after The Christie’s care helped to give their family the all clear.

Alex, 49, said: “It started with my stepdad Alan before Christmas four or five years ago. We found out that he had cancer and he went to the Christie for treatment.

Deb, 48, added: “A year later my younger brother Paul, a week before Christmas again, got diagnosed with cancer and again was treated at the Christie. They were treated so quickly. From finding out they had it to starting treatment at the Christie happened in the blink of an eye. It was amazing the treatment they had.”

Deb added that her brother’s treatment was quite complicated and lasted a long time, including some complicated surgeries to remove his cancer.

Alex said: “And whilst her brother was being treated my mum Jill was diagnosed with cancer. And then at the end of last year Deb’s dad Derek was diagnosed with cancer as well. This was about the time that we were thinking of doing a challenge and wanting to run for The Christie and that really sealed out fate with doing it.”

Deb said: “It was just like we had to do it now. There was no way we couldn’t do it. It was that emotional thing with it being my dad as well – we just had to do something.”

The couple, who now live in Leek, said that all of their family has now had the all clear, apart from Derek who is waiting for his last scans following surgery to remove his cancer.

Deb said: “It feels like the hard work we’re doing is nothing compared to what they’ve been through. The speed of the treatment they’ve had, we’re just so lucky we’ve got them all with us today. Some are not so lucky, so we definitely count out blessings.”

In an effort to raise money for the hospital that has helped their family so much, the couple came up with the idea to run the 12 half marathons.

They came up with the idea in October last year over a couple of pints. Alex said: “We were in the pub and we were thinking of doing something for charity and then I thought, well why don’t we make it a proper challenge?

“So we decided to do one each month. It sounded like a good idea. Everything seems like a good idea after a couple of pints doesn’t it?”

Starting in March in London, the pair have ran one every month since and will finish their challenge in December in Milton Keynes.

So far, they have completed races in London, Llandudno, Blackpool, Chester, Leamington Spa, Birmingham and one from The Christie in Manchester to The Christie in Macclesfield.

The couple said the challenge has given them a focus and an outlet through the difficult times and has allowed them to clear their heads while training.

However, Alex said that the Blackpool race was particularly difficult for her, as her sister passed away just days before the race.

She said: “That was a really tough one mentally, because my sister passed away two days before unexpectedly. But we did it anyway. But it was mentally hard to get through it.

“I saw a group of people wearing matching t-shirts on the way round and I realised they had angel wings on and they were wearing them as a tribute to someone so that upset me on the way round, but in a good way.”

Deb said: “We’re so excited for Manchester. We’ve done a few runs between us over the years, but Manchester is by far our favourite because the atmosphere is fantastic.

“We’re both busy at work and have had a lot going on, so fitting in training runs and mentally getting ourselves out there has definitely been the hardest part. But a couple of hours out running is nothing compared to what people going through cancer treatment face every day.

“The most surprising thing has been realising just how many people we know who have been affected by cancer, either themselves or through family and friends, and have received treatment at The Christie.

“For families affected by cancer, just knowing there are people out there who understand what they’re going through and are prepared to support the work The Christie does is really important. And if it inspires anyone else to get up and start their own challenge to raise funds, that would just be amazing.”

Deb and Alex will be running the Manchester Half Marathon on October 4. To donate to their fundraiser click here.