A DOWNPATRICK mother and son will undertake a second marathon night walk this weekend to remember a much loved mother and granny.
Lisa Glackin and her son Rory will take part in Shine, which is Cancer Research UK’s marathon night walk, bringing people together to light up Glasgow and fund life-saving research.
They are hoping to raise as much money as possible to remember her mum and grandmother Mary Ritchie, who passed away two years ago following a short battle with cancer.
The pair undertook the London Shine walk last year when Lisa spoke about the trauma of losing her mother just 10 weeks after her diagnosis.
She said her loss, and the struggles of others faced with cancer, had prompted her to sign up for the sponsored walk, while her son Rory was keen to join her to pay tribute to his granny.
Mary Ritchie was well known in Downpatrick having worked at Murphy’s Shop at Saul Street for over 30 years.
Although she was 81 when she died, Lisa said it was very difficult to see the impact of the disease on such an active and independent woman.
She said it was ironic that she started to work at the Cancer Research shop in Downpatrick just before her mum received her news.
“We were told nothing could be done.
It was very traumatic having just 10 weeks to say goodbye to your mum,” she said.
“We had some great support from cancer charities when my mum was brought home but it made me realise how important research into the disease is.
“You may not hear as much about Cancer Research as other charities but its work is what we really need.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor Lisa or Rory may do so through the Cancer Research Shop in Downpatrick or online through the just giving website https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/lisa-rorys-shine-night-walk-2017