Mums' fundraiser could become national event

Jun 30 2009 By Vicki Eltis, Surrey Herald

LITTLE Legs For Life, a fundraising drive thought up by Walton mums when their sons said they wanted to help raise money for a friend who lost her battle with cancer, could become a national fundraising event after it netted £10,000.

Cancer Research UK has said it will consider rolling the event out across Britain after more than 250 children, from toddlers to teenagers, walked 5km at Esher Rugby Club, in Molesey Road, Hersham, on Sunday.

The walk was in memory of Sarah Jack, a Walton mum, who died on May 31 last year, aged 36, from cancer of the liver and lungs.

Her friends took part in the national Race for Life last year but their sons were disheartened they could not be involved in the women-only race.

So spurred on by their children, Sam Dunsmore, of Latton Close, and Nancy Scott, of Saxon Road, along with seven other mums, came up with the idea of Little Legs For Life.

Emma Cronin, area volunteer manager for Cancer Research UK, Surrey, said: "Little Legs For Life was an absolutely phenomenal success. It is an amazing concept and one that could work in a lot of communities.

"The work that has gone into it from the Walton committee is outstanding. We are very grateful to the community for the money raised and we look forward to getting involved next year."

Nine mums, Sam Dunsmore, Nancy Scott, Tracey Reed, Linda Miller, Claire O'Hare, Lorraine Butler, Tina Little, Sam King and Kate Wilson, formed a committee to stage Little Legs for Life.

They now hope to repeat the event once a year.

They spent several months organising the event so their boys could get involved and yesterday they said they will give £10,000 to the charity.

Sam Dunsmore, 40, of Latton Close, Walton, said: "We are so ecstatic it has raised this much. One thing we wanted from this was to make it a community event and it really was.

"I am stunned at how much effort the children put in. They really did rise to the occasion with some exceeding the 10 laps. What a legacy and a testament this is to Sarah. I think she would be so proud."

Sarah's husband Stuart said: "Although I had no direct involvement with the committee and the whole process, I am indebted to those who did and to parents whose children took part and made the effort.

"I know, had she been here, Sarah would have been the first to put her name to such an event. It is a wonderful tribute to her memory.

"The weather shone down on us and I'm pretty sure Sarah was smiling on us too."

All the children who took part were given a Waitrose goodie bag and a medal.

Bell Farm School, in Hersham Road and Burhill Community School, in Pleasant Place, both Hersham, and Ashley School, in Ashley Road Walton, all actively promoted the race.

The race was sponsored by Esher Rugby Club, Joanne Ward Dance Academy, Expressair and Waitrose in Hersham.

Nancy added: "We would also like to thank Wendy Baker from Wendyhouse gym club who did our warm up, and Gavin Pomfret who did a wonderful job as our MC for the day."