A support group for people affected by cancer is starting a monthly event with Cwmbran Parkrun. Every Saturday at 9am walkers, joggers and runners complete a 5km route from the Olive Tree in Croesyceiliog around the boating lake.
And now on the last Saturday of the month a new initiative called 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer will encourage ‘those living with and beyond cancer, their families, friends and those working in cancer services’ to take part. The joint session is supported by the MOVE Charity.
The Cwmbran & Newport – Tredegar House 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group invites to walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer at the Cwmbran & Newport – Tredegar House parkrun on the last Saturday of every month and then socialise after over drink and cake in the local café. In short, we are an active coffee morning combining fresh air, movement and socialising.
Organisers say that physical activity has been shown to have a number of important benefits for people living with cancer and reduces cancer-related fatigue, helps to preserve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and improves psychological well-being. They added that a NHS report found that only 23% of people living with cancer achieve the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity five times per week.
The Cwmbran Parkrun 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group is run by volunteer ambassadors:
- Sian Lewis (Macmillan AHP Cancer Lead)
- Dr Jane Mathlin – Consultant Radiographer, Velindre Cancer Centre
- Tor Collins – Specialist Breast Physiotherapist, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
- Andrew and Catherine Spencer
The group will meet in front of the brown brick building by the side of the Olive Tree at Northfields Recreation Ground, Cwmbran, NP44 2JJ at 8.45am.
“We were thrilled to learn of 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer,” says Sian Lewis. “It’s a national initiative which combines a cancer support group with parkrun. Being able to team up with Cwmbran Parkrun is fantastic as it’s my local Parkrun. We really appreciate the support of the core volunteer team and everything they have done to help launch this initiative.”
The Newport-Tredegar Parkrun 5K Your Way, Move against Cancer group is planning to start Saturday 25 March.
5k Your Way was founded by oncology consultant and 12 times ironman champion Lucy Gossage and Gemma Hillier-Moses, international runner and founder of MOVE charity who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24 in 2012.
Friendships are cementing, and a supportive community is being built. And the snowball has begun to roll, as people see the value in creating a 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group in their local community. A strong collaboration with parkrun and support from the wonderful community of parkrun volunteers is facilitating this growth.
Those interested in joining the group are encouraged to register online with 5k Your Way and parkrun before meeting at 8.45am on the last Saturday of every month.
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