A DEDICATED fundraiser has raised more than £4,000 for Cancer Research UK in one event after losing both her mother and father to the illness.

Zoey Fry, 28, took part in an eight-hour spinathon event at the Redlands Community Sports hub in Dorchester Road, Weymouth.

She organised the event, which ran from 8am to 4pm, with her husband Matthew.

Four others also took part with Zoey, including spinathon instructor Jo Shorey. Each team member cycled 80 miles each.

Zoey said: “I didn’t expect to raise nearly as much money – the total is £4,000 and is likely to rise even further which is just brilliant.

“Everyone has been really generous donating and thank you to everyone who contributed and took part.

“Cancer has affected my family for the past 16 years.

“We want to raise as much money as we can to help research find a cure for cancer, or even something that battles it or gives people more time. People are already calling for another spinathon.

“I would absolutely love to turn it into a yearly fundraiser.”

Zoey’s fundraising inspiration comes after losing her mum and dad to cancer.

Local fisherman Steve Lilley, 57, defied the odds when he battled an aggressive brain tumour for 13 months – after doctors warned him he only had two weeks left. The father-of-six raised thousands as vice chairman of the Claire Lemmon Fund, which took youngsters with cancer on trips to attractions such as Disneyland Paris, by decorating his house every year for the public.

Sadly, Mr Lilley died on October 25, 2010, surrounded by his family.

Zoey’s mother Jayne Lilley, 52, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just six weeks before Steve passed away.

Jayne had chemotherapy treatment for her cancer which proved unsuccessful and she also took part in a clinical trial at London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.

Tragically Jayne then also passed away on August 5 last year. Zoey’s mother-in-law, Mandy Fry, said: “Zoey’s just amazing. She’s coped so well after losing her mum and dad and this charity event is something very close to her heart. I am incredibly proud of her.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/zoey-fry1

 

Well done, Zoey

Helen Johnstone, Cancer Research UK’s spokesman for Dorset, said: “Zoey has raised an amazing amount of money in a really demanding challenge in memory of her parents, and I’m delighted she is considering making it an annual event.
“Every step our scientists take towards beating cancer relies on wonderful supporters like Zoey, because the more people give, the more research we can do and the sooner we can beat cancer.”