An 18-year-old aspiring cancer research scientist is running the Sheffield Half Marathon this Sunday in support of Cancer Research UK.
Amy Prescott decided to run her first marathon as a New Year’s resolution. She decided to support Cancer Research, a personal cause that hits close to home to many around the UK.
She said: “The amount of families that can help through the donations that are given, it’s life changing – and also, angling it from the researcher side, the more funds that we have, the better technology we can get – and the closer we can get to finding a cure.”
However, this cause is especially important to Miss Prescott as she will be starting her path to become a cancer research nurse September this year, which was also a push to start this journey.
Miss Prescott said: “It’s just the one that I probably felt most passionate about, it’s the one that I felt I had the most personal connection to, also it’s a global issue that affects everyone. Like the statistics say, it affects one in two people, which, when you think about that on a global scale, is terrifying.”
She started taking running more seriously when she was going through a low point in her mental health.
“I’ve always just run as a passion of mine,” she said.
“When you set off, you realize that you just can’t stop. And you just, you keep running; and it’s just great. So I think, definitely, I am a very big advocate that running really does help with mental health.”
This Sunday she will finally run the Sheffield Half Marathon.
“I’ve heard the crowd is very high energy. It’s very motivational,” she said.
When asked about what would be next for her, Miss Prescott said that she thinks she wants to get another few half marathons “under her belt”.
She added: “Definitely Leeds, and I have been looking at going to do the Rome half marathon.”
Miss Prescott has reached £600 to her £800 goal. If you want to support her and Cancer Research UK donate here.