Family running Great South Run in memory of late Gosport mum
Angela Tugwell, a mum-of-one from Gosport, lost her battle with cervical cancer at just 42 years old and left her family devastated.
Julie Hibbert, 46, is set to race in the 10-mile event in October, along with Angela’s husband, Ted, in aid of charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, who the family sought advice from before she died.
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Hide AdAngela was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called adenocarcinoma, which did not show up on initial scans. It spread to her lymph nodes, by which time it was too late to prevent when finally discovered.
Julie said: ‘Angela and I were really close – we were best friends as well as sisters.
‘After Angela had her first child Emma, she waited a few years then decided she would like to add to her family.
‘When she fell pregnant, she could not have been happier, but she had a miscarriage at seven weeks.
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Hide Ad‘She went on to have further miscarriages but in May 2013 doctors found a tumour on her cervix.
‘She was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer. She responded well to the treatment but developed a lot of blood clots as a side effect and she sadly passed away in her sleep later in the year.’
Since her death, Angela’s family have been active campaigners to help others who are fighting similar diseases and have raised more than £94,000.
The pair will now race for the third time in the Great South Run, which takes place this year on October 23, to continue to add precious proceeds to their cause and are hoping to hit the £100,000 mark.
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Hide AdJulie said: ‘We wanted to set up something where people could leave their messages of condolence and donate a little bit.
‘This then turned into a series of fundraising events, which we thought is what she would have wanted and would have loved that I always train with Ted before an event.’
‘It’s been a great help to Ted and I, that we can help Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust increase the awareness of this horrendous disease in Angela’s memory.’
Anyone wishing to donate to Julie and Ted’s cause should visit justgiving.com/teams/angleatugwell2016.