Positivity Wins Again: Pocklington Woman Honors Her Dad Through Epic Run

A lady from Pocklington has taken up the challenge to run six marathons across Europe over the course of this year, beginning this month. This ambitious feat will cover more than 150 miles and aims to increase awareness about the illness that claimed her father's life.

Annette Taylor, 44, from Pocklington, completed the 26.2 mile Paris leg on April 13 followed by Manchester two weeks later.

She plans to continue with the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on May 11, succeeded by events in Chester, Yorkshire, and finally Athens in November.

Annette's medals from marathons in Manchester and Paris are set to be followed by four others by the end of November this year (Image: Supplied)

Annette is raising awareness of myeloma, a deadly blood cancer, and fundraising for Myeloma UK which provides information, support, and funds ground-breaking research into the condition.

Mother of three Annette, whose father Dave Duff passed away in November 2023, stated: "My dad was an amazing person, and we had a strong bond."

“We had never heard about myeloma until he received his diagnosis; this came as quite a shock, but discovering that his condition was incurable was an even greater surprise.”

Grateful thanks go to the research conducted on myeloma and the subsequent treatments, which allowed my father to live for six years following his diagnosis.

I aim to raise funds for Myeloma UK so they can continue supporting research.

“Running in memory of my dad might help me save others.”

Anette’s dad had back pain for more than a year before he was diagnosed with myeloma in January 2018.

"Since he had a physically demanding role as a site manager at a caravan park, when he mentioned his back pain, we assumed he might have been exerting himself too much," Annette explained.

It was difficult witnessing Dad’s deterioration – each time I saw him, he seemed more unlike his former self, and within months, he had started using a walking stick.

We were utterly shattered when he got the diagnosis.

He began his treatment merely four days afterward, which indicated to me how severe it truly was.

Annette mentioned that her father started his chemotherapy treatments at Scarborough General Hospital before being transferred to Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, close to Hull. In September 2018, he underwent a stem cell transplant.

Following that, he underwent multiple chemotherapy sessions aimed at keeping the cancer under control.

Despite feeling unwell, Dave succeeded in walking Annette down the aisle as she got married to her spouse Dale at Kilnwick Percy Resort and Golf Club in Pocklington during the Father’s Day weekend in June 2023.

Although he wasn't feeling well, Annette’s father still managed to walk her down the aisle when she got married in June 2023. (Image: Supplied) Annette said: “It was one of the most special moments of my life to have Dad by my side.

“Though he was too unwell to do a speech or see our first dance, he didn’t miss out - we showed him our first dance in his garden a few days later.”

In November 2023, at the age of 67, Annette's father passed away, leaving behind his spouse Judi, their son Andy who is 47 years old, along with Annette. He also leaves five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Annette remarked, "We were all utterly heartbroken."

“He was a wonderful man, and we were very close.

“As a child, he cheered me on when I swam competitively, as a teen he helped me build my first car, and as an adult he was there with hugs and cups of tea when I went through hard times.

His special ability was his optimism.

He would outline the most vivid borders around even the gloomiest clouds and invariably discover answers to life's challenges.

I am certain Dad would have encouraged me to concentrate on the positives just as he used to.

That’s why I’m participating in six marathons for him this year.

She stated: "The greater the funds we secure for Myeloma UK, the higher the likelihood of better outcomes for upcoming myeloma patients."

Dad was always there cheering me on whenever I participated in races with Pocklington Runners, my nearby running group. Even though he won't be physically present, I sense his presence spiritually at each competition.

Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer affecting the bone marrow, and approximately 33,000 individuals in the UK are coping with this condition.

Annette has created a donation page for fundraising purposes. https://www.justgiving.com/page/annette-taylor-6for6?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL