Racing Ahead to Walk with Lisa! Our Latest Charity Challenge

Last week, we set our colleagues a new charity challenge. Lisa Bowden, our Head of Business Development – Solutions, wanted to take part in Race for Life after a cancer diagnosis last year. However, with Race for Life not taking part in its usual way due to Coronavirus restrictions and, with so many of us working in different locations around the country, we still wanted to show Lisa our support. Here’s our latest update.

Lisa’s Story

Lisa explains: “In February 2019, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Stage 3 Breast Cancer. I’ll be honest, it was a shock. Now, after two major surgeries, 8 horrific months of chemotherapy and many, many sad and difficult complications along the way, I feel ready to help and to give back to help some of the most amazing people I’ve met and who have supported me along the way.

“I’m not in a position to be able to run in this year’s Race for Life, but I am going to walk it (however long it takes!) and aim to be fit enough to run it next year.”

The Walk with Lisa Challenge

Here at Retail Assist, we asked our colleagues if they would Walk with Lisa to show their support. Either running, walking, cycling (or any other jazzy form of movement!) we asked that they might take a photo of them taking part and then, if they were able to, contribute to Lisa’s fundraising page.

With an impressive initial figure raised of £560, Lisa has now nearly doubled this to an incredible £1,075, with more contributions still pouring in.

Lisa said: “My best friend ran for me last year; our aim was to target doing it together the following year. How quickly it has come round and having the additional support of all my colleagues is really overwhelming. I’m so pleased with the money raised so far and it’s so encouraging that even though we are all remote now the Retail Assist team spirit is going strong. I can’t wait to see all the photos and videos coming in, even my dogs have Race for Life t-shirts to wear on the day!  A massive thank you for everyone’s support so far, it really is appreciated.”

Alex Broxson, our Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Lisa has been an inspiration to us throughout her cancer journey. It’s great to be able to take part with her (remotely), and support her to help others fighting cancer, and is just testament to her own strength in character. It’s also nice to see everyone carrying out their walks / runs, and seeing the donations flood in. She has already reached her target and is just a reflection of the support she should feel across the team. Go Lisa!”

If you would like to donate to Lisa’s fundraising page, click here.

Take a look at some of our colleagues (and their furry friends!) as they’ve joined in with Lisa’s challenge!