Welcome to the Womens Cancer Challenge website As the nights start to lengthen, it’s time to dust off the trainers and get in gear for this years Womens Cancer Challenge which will take place on Saturday 19th May in Lews Castle Grounds. Over the last five years it has become the biggest sporting participation in the Western Isles attracting runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to take on the three mile course around the Lews Castle grounds. “I’m sure everyone has their own reason for taking part and I imagine that for many it is as personal as the reasons why we wanted to start it’ said Kirsty Wade, who organizes the event with her husband Tony. “We set out to raise money for Cancer Research because we felt helpless in the face of watching people we cared for struggle with cancer and in some cases lose their battle. It felt like our own small way of trying to both fight back and remember. We are amazed that through your running/walking and pram pushing the community have managed to raise £60,000 to help counteract the disease that has effected so many of us” she continued. “While travelling down to Wales last Autumn I took the opportunity to visit the Beatson Cancer Research Centre in Glasgow where I was able to observe the type of projects that the money raised is spent on. Previously the money going to ‘Cancer Research UK ’ had felt like a ‘good’ thing but I had no idea where exactly the money was going. Having toured the research building and talked to the enthusiastic Professor who was kind enough to give us his time I too feel enthusiastic ! It was fascinating and encouraging to hear of the progress that is being made and meet the people who are involved in constantly looking for new ways to understand this disease. I returned from the visit determined to continue our own event and continue to play our own small part in fundraising for the amazing Lewis Branch of Cancer Research. Tony continued “The theme this year is “Bring A Friend” or perhaps it could be ‘Drag A Friend Out’! “ said Tony “If everyone who took part last year encouraged one other person to take part we would have well over 800 participants which would be amazing! As Kirsty said we have all had close contact with people who have endured this terrible illness and one of the major reasons we began the event was to try and make women think more about their health and the benefits of taking regular moderate physical activity. At the Sports Centre, I can see at first hand how the ‘Slainte Mhath’ sports facility access scheme has made exercise more affordable and our user numbers have increased by over 25% in the last two years, hopefully things are heading in the right direction. So lets hope the ‘Bring A Friend’ theme will make this year’s event bigger and better than ever Entry and sponsor forms are to be found at the Sports Centre and Sportsworld or can be downloaded from here: Entry Form Sponsor Form | 
