Twenty-three ‘unicorns’ were spotted running in a campaign to raise money in memory of a nine-year-old who died of cancer.
A group of parents dressed as unicorns took part in a 10k run on November 24 through Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods in memory of Jessica Macqueen who died of a rare cancer just four months after the diagnosis.
The runners wore unicorn horns in honour to Jessica who loved unicorns, and they all managed to cross the finish lines despite some minor injuries during the run.
After the run, £9,770 was raised and with Gift Aid there was an impressive grand total of £11,256 with more donations still being sent.
Jessica died on October 18 after she was diagnosed with June with the rare cancer Rhabdomyosarcoma. Friends and acquaintances with the Macqueens were not aware of the “lack of funding” to cancer research and rare cancers like this and wished to raise money to help anyone else in Jessica’s situation.
Jessica Macqueen
Charlene Taylor, a mother of a boy in Jessica’s year group, was one of the few members involved with suggesting a run with other parents. She said: “It was an incredibly tough course with lots of hills and so much mud, but no one gave up!
“Jessica was I our thoughts every step of the way and gave us that push when we were finding it hard.”
The money raised is being donated to Alice’s Arc, a charity dedicated to funding research to find a cure and less harsh treatments for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Alice's Arc branded t-shirts were also worn after being printed at Future Print, Watford, in hope to generate more awareness for the charity.
Before the run, Ms Taylor previously praised how Jessica’s parents have coped with the death. She said: “They’ve been fantastic, their strength is incredible, and no parent should have to go through what they’ve been through.
“But it is a day-by-day process and they do have great support from all of the parents.
“We’re doing this in memory of Jessica, she was a wonderful girl who was incredibly polite, and everyone will miss her terribly.”
To donate money for the run, visit the JustGiving page here.
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