Lincoln woman’s charity walk to honour brother-in-law’s memory

A Lincoln woman and her friends will walk 24 miles around the city in memory of her brother-in-law who recently died of Pancreatic Cancer.

Ruth Sheeran told The Lincolnite that Colin battled cancer for 14 months after being diagnosed when he was 59 years old.

It came as a shock to the family as she said Colin had always had an “incredibly healthy lifestyle”, but his “strength and resilience brought the family closer” during his cancer battle.

Colin, who was originally from Lincoln but moved to Wirral, lost his fight with the disease on August 26, 2019 aged 60.

Ruth said she desperately wants to raise a sizeable amount to help fund vital research for Pancreatic Cancer UK in honour of Colin.

Ruth Sheeran and Hughie have organised the charity walk event.

On October 5, Ruth and around eight friends will go on the Challenge 24 charity walk in Lincoln and the surrounding area.

She said the 24 miles represent the 24 people a day in the UK who die from the disease.

A fundraiser has already raised over £1,000 and anyone wishing to donate can find the fundraising page here.

Ruth believes earlier diagnosis is needed and she told The Lincolnite: “24 people a day die in the UK of this disease and survival rates haven’t improved in 40 years – we need to raise the profile of it.

“Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat, difficult to diagnose and has terribly low survival rates which haven’t improved in the last 40 years as research is hugely underfunded.”

Colin with his only granddaughter Willow. He passed away a few days after she was born.

One of Ruth’s husband’s friends Hughie Kavanagh, who previously completed a 26 mile charity walk, will do the challenge with her.

He lost his cousin Simon Gibson to the disease in April 2019. Simon’s wife Donna and mother Sheila will also be taking part in the walk.

Simon Gibson before he was diagnosed.

Friends, including from Worcestershire and Surrey, will also be involved either all or part of the way.

Simon pictured with his mum & daughter.

Local businesses have told Ruth they will offer support with donations or sponsoring refreshment stops, including Lindum and Lincs Electrical Wholesalers.