Leeds cancer survivor runs 80 miles to mark 80th birthday for breast cancer charity

A woman from Leeds plans to celebrate her 80th birthday by jogging one mile for each of her years - all to raise money for a cancer charity.
By Rebecca Marano
Published 10th Jun 2020, 06:00 BST
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Grace Burns, 79, from Garforth, will jog the 80 miles across eight days to help fund breast cancer research.

She will be running from her home to Allerton Bywater and back every day and estimates she will be running for three hours a day.

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She has chosen to fundraiser for Breast Cancer Action, a community group that works to support research into breast cancer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, after battling with cancer twice in the past 35 years.

Grace and Andrew Burns have raised thousands for Leeds Cares over the years.Grace and Andrew Burns have raised thousands for Leeds Cares over the years.
Grace and Andrew Burns have raised thousands for Leeds Cares over the years.

Mrs Burns first had a mastectomy in the 1980s and spent nine years undergoing treatment.

Unfortunately, in 2008 the cancer returned in her sternum.

She now attends the breast clinic twice a year for scans and blood tests.

Her husband Andrew, is also a patient at the Leeds Cancer Centre.

Grace Burns, 79, from Garforth, will jog 80miles across eight days toraise money for Breast Cancer Action.Grace Burns, 79, from Garforth, will jog 80miles across eight days toraise money for Breast Cancer Action.
Grace Burns, 79, from Garforth, will jog 80miles across eight days toraise money for Breast Cancer Action.
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The couple recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary and chose to raise funds to mark the occasion.

The couple raised over £1,500 in support of Leeds Cancer Centre.

Mrs Burns said: "Both my husband and I have cancer - We’d like to say a huge thank you to Leeds Cancer Centre for looking after me for over 35 years and for treating my husband since last year."

You can support Mrs Burns and her fundraising efforts on the Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/80-8-80A message from the Editor:

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Kirklees & Calderdale Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre and Support After Rape & Sexual Violence Leeds are charities that support anyone who been affected by sexual violence of any kind. www.supportafterrapeleeds.org.uk and www.kcrasac.co.uk.

Related topics:LeedsGarforth