Grieving mum takes on 10k to raise cash for cancer charity

Lisa Ruthven, 22, passed away less than 24 hours after marrying Robbie Robertson, 22, in the bedroom of her home in Woodburn, Dalkeith.

The couple, who have a daughter Orla, two, together, had been forced to bring their wedding forward – and change the venue – after Lisa was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the bile ducts in October last year and her condition rapidly deteriorated.

Now Lisa’s mum, Diane Moffett, 41, will take on the 10K route of Race for Life at Holyrood Park on June 17 with family and friends in a bid to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK. She will also run the race in memory of her father – Lisa’s grandfather – Charles Moffett, who died last month from pancreatic and liver cancer at the age of 79 after being diagnosed at the start of the year.

Diane, who will be wearing a T-shirt with Lisa and Charles’ faces printed on it during the run, said: “I feel it’s something I want to do. I did Race for Life with Lisa five or six years ago for the first time and I’ve never done it again. I will do it every year now.”

Three months after Lisa’s devastating diagnosis, she and Robbie got engaged and booked their wedding at Edinburgh’s Norton House Hotel and Spa for June this year in the hope that Lisa would continue her battle against the rare form of cancer. Sadly, the couple were forced to bring the date forward and change the venue.

Lisa was too ill to change into the wedding dress she had picked out just two weeks before, but wore a tiara during the ceremony.

The former Dalkeith High pupil was unable to leave her bed for the short wedding ceremony but found the strength to sign her name on the paperwork.

The “inspirational” mother-of-one, who died in February, put up a courageous four-month fight against the disease, which spread to her liver and stomach.

The family will mark what would have been Lisa’s 23rd birthday in August by gathering at the home she shared with her mum and Orla in Woodburn and releasing balloons.

Diane is set to have a bench erected in Dalkeith Cemetery next month in memory of Lisa, Charles and her mum Agnes, who died after suffering a massive heart attack six years ago aged 63.

“Lisa got cremated but her ashes are beside my mum and dad,” Diane said. “She was really close to them. I’m just taking every day as it comes, it’s just heart-wrenching.” Diane is also selling wristbands with Lisa’s name on them for £2 to raise funds.

Lisa had been feeling unwell before the diagnosis, but doctors put it down to Crohn’s disease. She was diagnosed with the condition at the age of ten, but had defied medical opinion to have Orla.

WOMEN across the Lothians have two weeks left to enter the Race for Life in Edinburgh and raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

Runners can choose from a 5K and 10K route at the Holyrood Park event on June 17.

The women-only series of events raises millions of pounds every year for research into 200 types of cancer. Last year, 8500 women took part in Race for Life events in Edinburgh, helping to raise more than £565,000.

Cancer Research UK events manager, Gillian Forsyth, said: “Diane is an amazing ambassador for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and taking part in the event will be an emotional experience. It’s great that she will be supported on the day by her friends and family, as well as by all the other women putting their best foot forward. I am sure Diane’s involvement in Race for Life will inspire other women to sign up.”

To enter, visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.