Remembering Nicole at 24-hour Relay for Life (with pics)

FAMILY and friends of a young woman who died from a rare form of cancer have completed a 24-hour relay race in her memory.

Twelve of Nicole Morgan's closest family and friends took part in the Cancer Research UK Relay for Life at the weekend.

The event involved team members taking turns to run or walk continuously for 24 hours around the track at Moorways Stadium, in Allenton.

After competing the gruelling test, Nicole's mum, Tracey Morgan, said the team would take part in the event every year in memory of her 20-year-old daughter.

“It was really well organised and we are looking at tak- ing part every year now,” she said. “I think we might have raised just over £1,000, which is fantastic.”

About 400 people participated in the event, helping to raise about £33,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Relay for Life was based on a concept developed in the United States, which involves teams walking or running for 24 hours.

The first event was held in Derby, in 2006, thanks to organiser Liz Aldridge. She died in October, aged 46, after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in August.

This year's event was started by a group of cancer survivors, who took part in the first lap before team members took over, completing laps for 24 hours until the final lap, when every participant joined in.

Teams set up camp at the site during the relay, but had to make sure there is at least one member of each team on the track at all times.

Nicole, 20, died in February from metastatic epithelioid sarcoma, a disease so rare that it affects only one in 60 million people.

While suffering from what doctors thought was glandular fever, a lump appeared on her arm. She had tests at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and was diagnosed with the disease.

The team running in memory of Nicole, a former student at West Park School, Spondon, and Bilborough College, ran in army clothing.

Mum Tracey, 40, of Elm Street, Borrowash, said: “We ran in army clothing as we wanted to be Nicole's Barmy Army. I think she would have loved today – not the running or taking part, but she would have sat at the side with a drink.

“It has been a real celebration to remember Nicole.”

In total, 25 teams took part in this weekend's race, which was officially opened by Bolsover-born actor Steven Blakely, who currently stars as PC Geoff Younger in ITV's Heartbeat.

Organiser Matt Hughes said: “Liz Aldridge founded the event and this was a testament to what she achieved. She was an inspiration.”