Hundreds run in memory of mum and 'dearest friend'

More than 200 family and friends of a woman who died of cancer last month have run a 10k in her memory.

Debbie Holland, 47, spent her final days being cared for at Wakefield Hospice, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

A fundraising page, set up to sponsor the runners, has almost raised more than 10 times its original target of £3,000.

Debbie's husband Andrew took part with their two daughters. He said: "We always felt we wanted to pay back. The staff in Wakefield Hospice are amazing. They should really get some plaudits out of what we've done today."

Among the runners was Sarah Sykes, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017.

Sarah received a secondary diagnosis in July 2024, four months after Debbie's own diagnosis with stage three breast cancer.

Both from Ossett, Sarah and Debbie first met when their eldest girls started primary school in 2016.

Sarah described Debbie as "one of the nicest people you'll ever meet".

"I have weekly chemotherapy and every Monday she would message me without fail saying 'what time are you in, I hope it goes well'," she said.

"Even though she was going through such a rubbish time, she was always there for me as a friend.

"Our kids have grown up together and the world is a sadder place without her."

The fundraiser was set up by Lisa Binks, who praised the hospice for taking great care of her "dearest friend" Debbie, who was also known as Debs or Doz.

She wrote: "Having visited every day, I know she was truly as comfortable as she could be.

"When Debs asked me to help with this challenge, of course I was going to say yes.

"I've run this event for many years but, without fail, I can guarantee Debs has been stood at the brow of the hill, as you reach the halfway point cheering me and every other runner on."

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