Springing into action for Mad March Hare (From Swindon Advertiser)

Springing into action for Mad March Hare

5:50pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News By Emma Dunn

HUNDREDS of people will be putting their best foot forward on Sunday to take part in the Mad March Hare.

The event, which raises funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer Wiltshire, will see about 600 people walking, jogging and running the 5km and 10km route, which starts and finishes at Lydiard Park Academy, in Grange Park.

Among the fundraisers taking part in the 5k will be Christine Gilliard, of Middleleaze, who is in remission after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.

“I had the surgery straight away at the end of 2009 but had to go back at the beginning of 2010 because they hadn’t removed the whole tumour. It was a nasty one but I was positive all the way through it,” she said.

“Just before starting chemo in April 2010 I took part in the Mad March Hare. I decided to do the walk and I have carried on since.”

Christine received treatment in 2010 and 2011 and ended up in intensive care when she reacted badly to a change in dosage of the drugs she was taking.

“I had such a lot of support from Macmillan and Breakthrough Breast Cancer to get back on my feet again and back into work,” she said The Mad March Hare, which is open to people of all ages and abilities, has raised more than £52,000 since the first event in 2008.The 10k run will start at 11am and the 5k will start at 11.15am. There will be a zumba warm-up 15 minutes before it starts.

Christine is taking part with her friend, Carol Rose, who works at Prospect Hospice.

Christine and Carol used to work together at SwICC at Great Western Hospital.

“This is the fourth year we have taken part. This year we are going as the Mad March Hare logo and will be wearing bow ties, bunny ears and carrots around our necks,” said Christine.

Christine now works at Peatmoor Primary School, where she helps out at breakfast and after-school clubs, and at Maranatha Christian School in Sevenhampton as a classroom monitor.

“I have spoken to both schools about the Mad March Hare and gone in costume. The children aren’t afraid of the word cancer, they take it in their stride. People don’t always get better but you’re there to say look what Chris has been through,” she said.

Places are still available. Adult entry is £12 and children are £6. To take part visit www.madmarchhare. org.uk.