She will be the VIP starter at the CRUK event
A star of TV hit The Traitors who lost both her grandparents to cancer has been chosen to help launch Race for Life.
Evie Morrison made it through to the final five of series two of the BBC show, set in Ardross castle in the Scottish Highlands.
Now Evie, who works as a veterinary nurse just 25 miles from where the show was filmed, will act as VIP starter and sound the horn to set participants on their way at Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Inverness on Sunday, 2 June.
Evie also plans to take part in the 5k Race for Life event at Highland Rugby Club together with her wife Kayleigh Deane and their rescue dogs Arlo and Dash (pictured above). Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancers - moving closer to a world where everyone can live longer, better lives.
She knows exactly how vital it is to raise funds for life-saving research. Her grandmother Alice Orr died from oesophageal cancer in 2006. All the family were devastated to lose Alice aged 64. And in 2018, there was more heartache when Evie’s granddad Robert Orr died from bowel cancer. Now Evie says her grandparents will be on her mind every step of the way at Race for Life.
Evie, 30, of Inverness said: “My Nana Alice was an incredibly strong, wonderful woman.
“She was head of the household and we all loved her very much. I have the best memories of happy times spent with Nana when I was growing up. It was often three generations of us having fun together, my nana, my mum and me. Nana loved animals and at one point cared for eight rescue dogs at home. I think it was Nana who first taught me to care and respect animals, a love which eventually led me to train as a vet nurse.
“Nana Alice was a beautiful lady. Sadly she had a long, hard battle with cancer which turned out to be inoperable. When she passed away there was a massive hole left in all of our lives. Years later, we also lost my granddad to cancer. Like so many families, our family has been touched by the disease and lost people too soon. I’ll Race for Life in my grandparents’ memory but also to help people who are going through cancer right now.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. Race for Life events which take place across the country are open to all ages and abilities. The first Race for Life events of the year kick off in Stirling and South Queensferry on Sunday, 5 May, closely followed this spring with events everywhere from Edinburgh to Dundee, Falkirk to Fife, Inverness to Irvine. Mums, dads, sons, daughters, grandparents and friends can choose from a 5k or 10k at Race for Life Glasgow at Glasgow Green on Sunday May 19. And on Saturday, 15 June at Strathclyde Country Park people have the opportunity to take part in a 5K mud-splattered obstacle course, Pretty Muddy.
Since it began in 1994, more than 10 million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding 30 years of hope and progress.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are grateful to Evie and Kayleigh for their support.
“We’d love for as many people as possible across Scotland to join us at Race for Life. There is an event for everyone and we mean everyone. Walk, jog, run or take on the course however it suits best. It’s a chance to feel the power of moving together with fellow Race for Lifers and to treasure that moment of crossing the finish line.
“Whether people are living with cancer, are taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with the disease, or are in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone.”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
