ANGELS ON THE RUN

Published 19 May 2010 16:59 0 Comments

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A BARRHEAD lass is swapping her false lashes for felt straps as she buckles up for the race of her life.

Kind Ann Canavan, 25, will trade in the spray tan and nail clippers for some sturdier equipment this June as she runs the 'Race for Life' in memory of her sister.

The generous beautician will take on the 5k run around Glasgow Green as a tribute to elder sibling Jane who battled through several forms of cancer before passing away in 2009.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 20, Jane spent three years in remission before the illness returned in another form.

She also suffered from brain tumours in the last few years of her life.

Donning sparkly pink tutus and leggings with bows, Ann will also run in memory of family friend Andrew Geddes who died on Boxing Day of last year after a long struggle with skin cancer.

He was due to get married in January.

As well as donating a week's worth of wages to Cancer Research and running the organised race, assistant manager Ann has also planned a series of events in the Beauty Centre which she works in on Main Street to coincide with the event.

She and her fellow team members will offer spray tans and lash extensions for £10 each - with all of the cash raised going straight to Cancer Research.

One of the Saturday staff will also join Ann and give up her pay as a donation to the charity.

Although only Ann and a fellow staffer Elaine Larmour are running the race, she is delighted that the whole team has pulled together to collect as much cash as possible.

She said: "This is my own personal challenge.

"Some of the things my sister went through were awful.

"I'm only five years older than she was when she contracted cancer for the first time.

"She went through more in that time than I've gone through in my life.

"I've never run before and this is a big thing for me.

"It's special and I'm more determined than ever."

Ann's determination has seen her climb the Craigie four times in the last week and she's trying to get out every day and do some kind of training.

She added: "It's meant to be a fun day out and although we're doing it in memory of Jane and Andrew we're also running to highlight the battle against cancer and to help all the good work that's going on.

"We seem to have a lot of people coming in to the salon who have either battled with cancer themselves or have friends of family that have.

"We want to raise as much as possible and my dad has been incredibly supportive.

"One of his friends is running a pink charity night and as a family we're trying to do as much as we can."

To enjoy a spray tan or lash treatment and help fight back against cancer, head to the Beauty Centre on May 22.

Or to help out the girls and give a donation at home, log on to www.raceforlife.co.uk/sponsorme/anncanavan1.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 19 May 10

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