Reena raises almost £600 for Cancer Research

One of our Bizspace employees has raised almost £600 for a cancer charity and discovered a new love for running.

Reena Vara, who works in the accounts department at our head office, took part in Race for Life at London’s Hampstead Heath on Saturday, July 9. She managed to complete the 5km route in 43 minutes and has so far raised £590 for Cancer Research UK.

The 33-year-old, who lives in Finchley, North London, says: “I wasn’t really an active, fit person so I was running for months to prepare for the big day.  As I was practising running on flat surfaces, it was hard running in Hampstead as we were running on cobbled stony hills but I managed to do the run in 43 minutes.”

And she adds: “After I had finished the race I found a new love for running so I have continued my running in the evenings.”

Cancer diagnosis motivated her to take part in run

Reena was inspired to take part in the event after her best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease which had already killed her grandma and aunt.

She explains: “I was 18 when my dad’s mum passed away and 21 when my mum’s sister passed away due to breast cancer.  I was very close to them, so you can imagine how devastated I was. 

“As I was so young I didn’t really realise how people suffered with cancer until my best friend got diagnosed with breast cancer.  I thought to myself I can’t lose any more people dear to me. so I need to help Cancer Research raise money to bring forward the day all cancers are curable. 

“I’ve always donated money to Cancer Research, but never did the Race for Life, but I intend to do it every year from now on.”

Reena is still collecting money for the charity and people can donate through her Just Giving page.