WARRINGTON-based actress Amanda Clapham will be swapping the film set for the running track next month when she takes part in a Race For Life event in her home town.
Surrounded by a family who work in oncology, the former Hollyoaks star understands all too well how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research.
That’s why the actress, who played Holly Cunningham on the Channel 4 soap, will be pulling on her trainers to complete the 5k route in her home town of Warrington on June 11th.
Since her departure from Hollyoaks in 2019, Amanda has travelled the globe and appeared in a string of films, including dark comedy Next Door, new thriller Billy Smith, and award-winning short film Voices.
While she takes a break to visit family, the 32-year-old is planning to join in the event at Victoria Park alongside her sister, Tasha, who works as a specialist therapeutic radiographer at Royal Preston Hospital.
The pair will be completing the challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK for their uncle and Amanda’s godfather, Jimmy, who was treated for prostate cancer in 2009.
Amanda, who grew up in Warrington and attended St Gregory’s RC High School, said: “As well as my sister being a radiographer, both my parents work at The Christie Hospital in Manchester in research information, and so I feel like cancer gets discussed a lot in our family.
“I’m in awe of my sister, I always have been. She is truly gifted and constantly gives all her positive energy to her patients, they come first. She sees them during a really scary time, and she just wants them to be as comfortable as they can be. It was obvious from a young age that she was going to do something where she cares for people and she’s constantly wanting to improve their experience. My dad is the same, he often tells me how far things have come with research to improve the treatment of people with cancer.
“But I’d say what I take on the most from them is the importance of always checking yourself for anything different with your body. I’m always asking my sister about my skin because I’m fair, I’m just so aware of the importance of early diagnosis.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
This is the 30th year of Race for Life and participants will receive an exclusive medal to mark the milestone.
The Aberdeen born actress, who trained at Manchester School of Theatre, added: “I can’t wait to run Race For Life. It gives me a push to get back on the treadmill and it’s such an uplifting event. I’d encourage anyone to sign up and do it, it’s fun and it’s all for a great cause.”
Every year around 41,900 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West ** and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.*** Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
The first Race for Life event was held in Battersea, London in 1994, where 750 participants raised £48,000. It was so successful that the following year, the race was extended to six venues across the UK. Today around 450 Race for Life events are held every year and since it began more than £940m has been raised to fund life-saving research. Race for Life is today open to everyone, no matter their fitness level, background or gender.
Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the North West, Jemma Humphreys, said: “We are grateful to Amanda for her support. We’d love for as many people as possible across the region to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way.
“We want to make sure that everyone can join the Race for Life movement. Our participants come from different backgrounds, with different stories, but with one thing in common – the determination to help beat cancer. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.
“We’ve seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers, but this can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country.
“Together we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So we’re asking people across the region: Who will you Race for?”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.
Chief executive of Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, Andy Curran, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen as the headline sponsor of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. This sponsorship will help encourage participation and raise funds for life-saving research to help beat cancer.”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
