Nicola from Retirement Line completes the ‘Pretty Muddy’ run for Cancer Research UK

12 July 2019

At Retirement Line, we are proud that many of our staff take on challenges to raise money for good causes. The latest of our colleagues to do so is Nicola Stevens, who splashed her way through a Pretty Muddy 5k run organised by Race for Life.

About 1,300 people ran over an undulating course in the grounds of Burghley House, a sixteenth-century country house on the outskirts of Stamford, Lincolnshire. It was one of dozens of Pretty Muddy events being held this year.

This was the second event of this type that Nicola has completed, having finished the 5k Muddy Run in 2018. She told us: “This year was a little bit more emotional for me as my mum passed away from cancer fairly recently. I was thinking of her before the race.”

So how did Nicola get on? She says: “The venue this year was more hilly than in 2018 so I found it a bit tougher. However, it was more fun as the obstacles were different. Some involved crossing a small river to knee height, so I got wetter and muddier this time around!

“My training helped as I was a little fitter this time – but I got my hair stuck under the combat net and people had to come to my rescue. It was all worth it though, as I raised £168.75, mainly from my colleagues at Retirement Line.”

Emily Rowling, Cancer Research UK’s Stamford event manager, said: “Taking part in our Race for Life events enables like-minded people to get together and remember loved ones lost to cancer. At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with cancer, right now.”

More to come from Nicola

Nicola is not finished running and raising money. Next year she plans to run two races: “The first will be with my husband Daren and youngest son Luke. I’ll maybe try to convince my eldest son Aaron to run too.

“For the second race I’m putting together a Retirement Line team. So far ten people have committed to it. We talk to clients about their health every day as some conditions could qualify them for a higher retirement income. Cancer is often mentioned, so we will be running on behalf of all our clients who have been affected by it."