AN ACTION man who was struck down by cancer will be a Weymouth mum’s inspiration as she nears the finish line of a charity race.
Becky Taylor, 37, is running the Dorchester Race for Life to help fund a non-clinical trial in which her partner Steve Phillips is taking part.
The pioneering trial, which is being held at Southampton General Hospital, is designed to help non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sufferers like Weymouth firefighter Steve.
Steve, 42, was diagnosed with the illness last year after a scan after a paragliding accident revealed that he had cancer.
He is now in remission and will be cheering on Becky, along with the couple’s one-year-old daughter Isabella, at the Kingston Maurward event on Sunday.
Becky said: “Steve thinks it’s great that I’m running, although he’s run the London Marathon half a dozen times so this would just seem like a walk in the park to him.
“It was an awful time when he was diagnosed and it has made us live our lives differently.
“We’ve just bought a motor home which is something we would have waited to buy, but now we don’t wait around any more to do things like that.”
Once every eight weeks the couple travel to Southampton for Steve to take part in the trial.
Becky said: “Without people raising money for cancer research, Steve wouldn’t be able to have this treatment.
“If I had to get on a table and dance naked and ultimately it would save him, then I would do it.”
Isabella was born four days after Steve was diagnosed with cancer.
“The three of us have a lot of fun together and we don’t dwell on things.
“Steve has dealt with things remarkably bravely – he’s gone for it and he’s taken it head on.
“He’s so determined to be there for her.”
Becky hopes to raise around £1,000 for Cancer Research UK by running the course with her friend Kirsty Parker.
To sponsor Becky, visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/rebeccataylor10.
* See the Dorset Echo Race for Life supplement on Tuesday, June 2, for pictures and results.
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