Dame Deborah James’s family and friends pay special tribute almost a year after her death
DRESSED in her trademark sequins, glitter and Rebellious Hope t-shirts, Dame Deborah James’ family and friends paid special tribute to her last night.
They led the way as around 1,000 people walked, ran and danced their way around a sunny Battersea Park taking part in Cancer Research’s Race for Life.
Dubbed ‘Race For Debs’ this year, the London event held a very special place in the Sun writer’s heart.
And, just weeks before the first anniversary of their daughter’s death, the evening was a special one for Dame Debs’ parents, Heather and Alistair.
They told The Sun: “Last year, Deborah was desperately sad that she was too ill to run but we remember sitting at home with her, dressed in her pink running outfit, thinking of all those taking part.
“Race for Life was so special to Deborah, she felt it was so important to meet all the other runners and share their personal stories of cancer.
“We’ve never taken part before, or even run a 5K, so we enjoyed walking and meeting so many people who came out on such a beautiful evening.
“It is obviously a time of reflection and sadness as we near the anniversary of Deborah’s death but we treasure memories of the amazing final weeks she spent at our home surrounded by her family.
“We know what it would mean to Deborah to see so many people out supporting her legacy and the Bowelbabe Fund, and on behalf of Deborah and our whole family, we thank everyone taking part in Race for Life across the UK.”
So far, 6,000 people have signed up to take part in Race for Life for Bowelbabe across the UK – raising a staggering £350,000 for her fund to date.
Dame Debs died last June aged 40, five-and-a-half years after she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.
The mum-of-two to Hugo, 15, and Eloise, 13, launched her Bowelbabe Fund in the weeks before her death with the aim of reaching £250,000.
The inspirational campaigner smashed that target, and has raised a staggering £11.3million to date.
In the years after her diagnosis in December 2016, Dame Debs shared her journey with Sun readers in her column, Things Cancer Made Me Say.
She frequently shared how running helped her face the physical and mental toll of cancer, and was a Race for Life ambassador.
In February 2020, she wrote: “There’s not better feeling than running by the river, with nothing else but my feet and breathing to focus on.”
Deborah would often run from her home in South West London to The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to get test results, to prove to herself she was still alive.
The 40-year-old said running was one of her key coping mechanisms, writing: “If I can run 8km from my home in Barnes, I can’t be dying, right?
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes me, if I can get there in one piece I feel alive. It helps clear my head before I have to face my results.”
KEEPING HER LEGACY ALIVE
One person who often accompanied Debs on her runs was friend, and fellow cancer patient, Emma Campbell said taking part in Race For Life this year without Debs was “bittersweet”.
“It’s nearly one year since we lost Debs, but it makes me smile to imagine her taking part in her pink wig and with all of her infectious enthusiasm that made everyone love her so much.
“This year, running with her family and close friends felt extra special, and knowing we’re raising money for her Bowelbabe Fund and doing what we can to keep her legacy alive and make a difference made it a very special night.”
Another pal, CJ Brough, added: “Debs loved race for life – the last few years she was responsible for thousands of people signing up.
“Battersea was her home ground and even last year when she was so poorly, she was desperate to come and have us wheel her around.
“She wasn’t able to make it but she got a lot of love from her friends and fam doing it on her behalf.
“It was bittersweet to run last night but she would love to see us all in our pink glitter finery, running, dancing and walking our way round.”
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research, told The Sun: “Dame Deborah was a wonderful ambassador for Race For Life, and it was deeply moving to see people taking part to celebrate and remember her.
“She touched so many lives and her inspiring legacy will live on through the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.”
- It’s not to late to sign up for Race For Life events this summer, visit raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org
- There’s the option to Race For Debs and her Bowelbabe Fund
- Donate to Dame Debs’ fund here