Elgin woman's marathon effort raises thousands for cancer charity
AN ELGIN woman has raised more than £3000 for a cancer charity after running a marathon around Moray on Sunday.
Diane Kemp (35) ran around the outskirts of Elgin and towards Lossiemouth – completing the run in 4 hours 39 minutes.
So far, a total of 133 donors have helped raise £3400 for DKMS – a blood cancer charity.
Diane was inspired to raise money for this particular charity after her dad Brian was diagnosed with an incurable cancer of the bone marrow called multiple myeloma in 2018.
And despite not being an out-and-out runner, she picked it up last summer after a period "overindulging" at the start of lockdown.
She said: "I moved in with family at the start of lockdown and we spent a few months enjoying each other's company, overindulging in alcohol.
"Then I decided that had to stop so at the start of July I started running to get fit.
"I originally signed up to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, which was sponsored by Macmillan Cancer Research. That was the sign I needed and I realised I had to do this.
"However, when they announced it was going to be virtual, I deferred my entry and re-registered through DKMS.
"The work they do getting people on the stem cell register and raising awareness of blood cancer is amazing. While DKMS wouldn't directly help my father, their message of giving hope really hits home.
"I'm delighted with the money raised for them. Originally the target was £1500 and my sister found me half way through the run, in Muirton, and told me we had passed £3000. Hearing that pulled me through.
"I'm genuinely humbled by all the support of friends, family, colleagues and the community.
"The community has been really kind, I can't quite believe how much everyone has got behind me, so a big thank you to everybody."
Around 30 people turned up to cheer Diane over the finishing line at Moray Sports Centre on Sunday – where she shared an emotional hug with her father.
She said: "That was only our second cuddle in more than 12 months.
"Because of his cancer we have stuck to the rules and restrictions religiously and waited until last weekend to hug.
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"That, and having the crowd there, meant everything to me."
You can donate to Diane's cause by visiting dkms.enthuse.com/pf/diane-kemp
For more information on DKMS, visit their website at www.dkms.org.uk.