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We As A Family Will Continue His Legacy

A Tribute to 5k Your Way Ambassador Steve Whittingham by his wife Cathy.

“In January 2022 Steve was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. We were devastated. By chance we saw a news article that mentioned 5k Your Way so in February we headed to Wilmslow 5KYW which gave us the inspiration to bring 5KYW to North Wales.

North Wales had given us so many happy memories over our 40 years together and we wanted to give something back to the wonderful community we had become such a part of – we were part of the core team at Nova Prestatyn parkrun. After mentioning the idea to the parkrun Run Director Dave we were overwhelmed by the response from others who had been touched by cancer and who wanted to get involved. In June that year – on Steve’s birthday – Nova Prestatyn 5k Your Way was launched. Steve always said this would be his legacy. 

After being ambassadors for two years and when we gave up our caravan in Prestatyn, we became ambassadors at Macclesfield 5KYW in July ‘24 where our daughter Lauren is an ambassador. We still keep in touch with Nova whenever we can, even meeting up at Bushy Park for World Cancer Day 2024.

A highlight for us as a family was meeting Lucy Gossage at Greater Manchester cancer conference in 2024!

Steve was passionate about spreading the message of how important exercise is when living with a cancer diagnosis, not only for the person living with cancer but for family and friends too. He was often found talking to anyone who would listen. When he wasn’t taking part in 5KYW we as a family – including our other daughter and daughter in law (Claire and Cass) – would go to different parkruns wearing our blue shirts and talk to anyone who would listen. 

Steve was passionate that being involved with 5KYW helped him to continue working (he was a gardener) and it helped his emotional wellbeing too. Even on days when he was struggling, he would either walk or volunteer. The support and camaraderie from the 5KYW community/family has been amazing and has helped us as a family in those difficult times, especially in the last few months. Steve always said if he could just help that one person it will have all been worthwhile.

Our March 5KYW meet up last month shows just how big those ripples can be and how amazing the 5KYW community can be with 67 ambassadors and supporters from Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Nova Pestatyn, Feel Find Mind – all moving against cancer and coming together as a celebration of Steve’s life.

We as a family will continue his legacy”.