A woman who lost her brother to Acute Myeloid Leukaemia just seven weeks after diagnosis has organised and taken part in a half marathon event in his memory, raising more than £2,000 for our charity.
Hairdressing salon owner Rebecca Caraccio, from Whitstable, Kent, wanted to do something to help others affected by the disease following the traumatic death of her 52-year-old brother, Michael Ingham on March 13 last year.
Married father-of-two Michael, who ran his own air-conditioning business, faced serious infections, had to have an eye removed and suffered with bouts of anxiety as he battled the disease at Canterbury Hospital, Kent and Guy’s Hospital, London. He leaves sons Leon, 20 and William, 18, and his wife, Charlie.
Rebecca now plans to make the Whitstable Half Marathon, which she organised from scratch, an annual event to raise more funds for LMRUK.
Rebecca said: “The Whitstable Half Marathon didn’t exist, but I organised it so that the family and friends of Michael could take part and raise some money for a charity that carries out research into leukaemia. It was a run-walk – I didn’t want people to think they had to run the whole thing.”
Rebecca Caraccio is encouraged by her husband, Matt, as she nears the finish of the Whitstable half marathon, organised by her and run in memory of her brother, Michael, to raise funds for LMRUK, following Michael’s death from leukaemia
She said around 40 people took part in the event in April this year, with dozens more lining the route and cheering on the runners and walkers. Rebecca also gave away special T-shirts for a £10 donation to our charity and raised money through collection boxes at her Canterbury salon, Caraccio’s Hair & Beauty.
She said: “Michael was a really well-loved person, so everybody dropped everything to be there. Those that couldn’t make the run were at the finish line, cheering us on. It was a special day and a great tribute to Michael.”
Among those taking part were Michael’s son William, 18, who ran the 13 miles in two hours. Michael’s wife, Charlie, also took part along with Rebecca, her husband, Matt, and her sister, Cat Ingham.
She said: “We were already a very close family but Michael’s illness and death has brought us so much closer. Although it was a very difficult time, I am glad to have been able to organise and take part in this event, so that something good can come out of Michael’s loss.”
