Fiancé’s mum to race for Hannah

6:19pm Thursday 3rd May 2007

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A group of kind-hearted staff members from Cradley CE Primary School are training hard as they get set to run in Cancer Research's Race for Life.

Pauline Hickman, who works at the school and is also the Halas Hawks' Girls co-ordinator, decided to run the 5km race for her son Gareth's fiancée Hannah Millington.

Twenty-five-year-old Hannah was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in February after suffering pain and deformity in her knee and has had to undergo numerous chemotherapy treatments.

Pauline was so inspired by Hannah's courage and positivity that she decided to help raise money for the charity.

She said: "When I told everyone at school what I was doing a few said they wanted to do it with me.

"Everyone thinks cancer doesn't apply to them, it is always someone else's family, but we have been touched by someone close to us being diagnosed with it, and it made me realise how important it is to raise money and awareness."

Pauline and the rest of the team are busy training for the run which takes place in Cannon Hill Park on June 20, although Pauline admitted she is apprehensive but is determined to do it for "such a great cause."

The team have already had to higher the target amount after smashing their previous £500 target.

Pauline said: "There has been a lovely response from people to Hannah's cause, many from people who I don't know.

"The other day an elderly couple from Halesowen rang me up and donated money.

"It's really great."

Brave Hannah is writing a daily online diary which follows her day-by-day throughout her various treatments, and provides an honestly frank account of everything she is experiencing.

The website also includes a guestbook where people can leave messages of support and a gallery which includes photographs of her before and throughout her treatments, including recent ones where she models her "new bald look."

Pauline said: "We took Hannah and Gareth out for dinner the other day and she is always ever so positive in herself.

"It moved me to see her with her head scarf on, walking on crutches but she has such a positive outlook.

"She is a fantastic person."

To donate to Pauline's Race for Life call Cradley CE Primary School on 01384 818230 or 0776 252 5970 or give online by linking to the donate page on Hannah's website. To follow Hannah's progress visit www.halashawks. co.uk/Hannah/main.htm