Sophie steps out in memory of her gran

Mrs Hill was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June 2011 and died the following month.

Now Sophie is determined to continue her beloved grandmother’s legacy by running the Sheffield half-marathon on Sunday to help support the Macmillan nurses who helped Mrs Hill.

She said: “I feel, having lost such a wonderful lady, that it was my turn to give something back. Macmillan was a charity very close to her heart and now to mine.”

Mrs Hill, formerly of Soothill Lane, dedicated more than 50 years to raising money for firstly Cancer Relief, then Macmillan Cancer Support.

When she served as mayoress for her uncle, Thomas Evers, in 1959, she nominated Cancer Relief as her chosen charity. She acted as secretary of the Dewsbury and Batley Committee of Macmillan Cancer Support for 27 years.

Her dedication to fundraising was recognised by many, including the Duchess of Kent.

Another charity fundraiser, Faith Appleby, of Thornhill Lees, is in training for the Leeds 10k run for Macmillan on July 8.

She has a special reason for signing up for the charity run, the first she has taken part in.

She said: “I am really looking forward to running in July and training is going very well. My dad passed away from pancreatic cancer last July and I have had my own experiences of the Macmillan nurses.

“I can’t thank them enough for their support.”