Reality TV star Leanne Quigley, winner of the hit show The Traitors, is calling on people across the West Midlands to kickstart their New Year by signing up for a major charity fundraising campaign.
Star's Personal Motivation to Fight Cancer
The television personality is urging the public to join Cancer Research UK's Race for Life events, which will take place across Birmingham and the Black Country from May to July. Quigley's involvement is deeply personal, as her fiancée, Sophie Jones, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2024.
The couple, who have twin boys, participated in a Pretty Muddy obstacle event last summer, leading a team that raised more than £1,200. This emotional milestone marked the end of nearly a year of treatment for Sophie, 33, who is now in remission after five rounds of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiotherapy for HER2 positive breast cancer.
"I’m all in against cancer," said Leanne, 30. "It was incredibly hard watching Sophie, the person I love, go through cancer and it put life into perspective. Crossing the finish line at Race for Life with these people was unforgettable."
Events Across the Region to Power Life-Saving Research
The charity's much-loved events series will see communities come together to raise vital funds for scientific research. Anyone who signs up during January can claim 30% off the entry fee by using the promotional code RFL26NY as part of a New Year sale.
In the West Midlands alone, approximately 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Money raised through Race for Life directly enables scientists to discover new methods to prevent, detect, and treat the disease.
Cancer Research UK's work was pivotal in developing the breast cancer drug Herceptin, which was part of Sophie Jones's treatment regimen. Clinical trials led by the charity demonstrated Herceptin's survival benefits, and it is now the gold standard of care for this specific cancer type.
How to Get Involved: Dates, Locations, and Challenges
A total of 27 Race for Life events are scheduled across 12 locations in the West Midlands between May and July. The season begins at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on Saturday, 2nd May, followed by Walsall Arboretum on Sunday, 10th May.
Participants of all ages and abilities can choose from 3k, 5k, or 10k events. For those seeking a messier challenge, there are separate 5k Pretty Muddy obstacle courses for children and adults.
Key event locations include:
- Sandwell Valley Country Park (Pretty Muddy) – Saturday, 13th June
- Cofton Park, Birmingham (Pretty Muddy) – Saturday, 11th July
- Worcester Racecourse (3k, 5k, 10k & Pretty Muddy) – Saturday, 18th July
Other events will take place in Solihull, Redditch, Sutton Coldfield, Dudley, Wolverhampton, and Birmingham. The 10k events will be chip-timed for those aiming to track their progress or achieve a personal best, but the emphasis remains on non-competitive participation.
Paula Young, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the West Midlands, said: "It’s time for the West Midlands to go all in against cancer. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it."
Since its inception in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding three decades of medical progress. Over the last 50 years, research funded by the charity has helped nearly double breast cancer survival rates in the UK.
To enter any of the West Midlands events, visit raceforlife.org.
