In February 2026, Sheila’s world changed when her family was told her dad had cancer. Just four weeks later, she said goodbye to him as he passed away holding her hand.

While he was still in hospital, Sheila signed up for the Manchester Half and promised him she would take on the challenge in his memory. The event will be the first step in a bigger challenge, as Sheila will go on to take on the Manchester Marathon in 2027, raising funds for Cancer Research UK along the way.

Honouring the person who always believed in her

Sheila’s dad was the person who always encouraged her to believe she could achieve anything she set her mind to.

“He always believed in me and taught me I could reach any of my goals no matter how ambitious they were,” Sheila says. “That is the reason I am the woman I am today.”

She describes him as thoughtful, patient and funny, someone whose impact continues to shape her life.

“Since losing him I have truly realised life is for living and shouldn’t be taken for granted. The end of his life taught me to really live mine and not worry about the little things as much.”

A challenge with a purpose

After losing her dad to cancer, Sheila wanted to find a way to honour his memory while helping other families affected by cancer.

“The experience of losing my dad to it has given me the momentum to do my bit to try and stop cancer impacting other people and their loved ones’ lives too.”

Through her fundraising for Cancer Research UK, Sheila has already raised more than £1,000, supported by her family, friends and wider community.

“I honestly couldn’t have done this without my people,” she says. “I’m surrounded by incredible women; my mum and my two aunties have continued to be a constant through all of this whilst managing their own grief too.”

Although Sheila isn’t a runner by background, she has found strength in the words her dad left her with. “My motivation comes from some of dad’s last words to me, which were ‘I’m proud of you and keep working hard’.”

Those words continue to carry her through training. “I can hear dad telling me to ‘crack on with it’ whenever I was moaning about something and this is no different, I guess.”

The finish line moment

For Sheila, crossing the finish line at the ASICS Manchester Half will be a moment to honour the person who always believed she could achieve anything.

“It will mean so much to me and I’ll be crossing that line knowing that I’ve finished that for my dad.”

But the moment will also be bittersweet. The Manchester Half is the last challenge Sheila will complete that her dad knew she was taking on, and she explained “It’s also really the first time I will accomplish something in my life where he won’t be there waiting to give me a hug as soon as I finish.”

Through sharing her story, Sheila hopes others experiencing grief feel less alone. She knows that grief can look different for everyone, and that sometimes people may be carrying more than those around them realise.

“Be kind to people. You never actually know what someone is going through, no matter how ‘well’ they are able to function after grief.” And above all, Sheila’s message is simple:

“Tell your loved ones you love them.”

You can support Sheila’s ASICS Manchester Half fundraising challenge in memory of her dad by visiting her fundraising page here. You can also join Cancer Research UK Team at the ASICS Manchester Half and take on your own fundraising challenge, helping raise vital funds for cancer research. Find out more and sign up here.