Local woman tackles parkrun for breast cancer fundraiser

A local woman who had breast cancer recently ran the Melksham parkrun dressed as a giant breast, in aid of the charity CoppaFeel!

Kelly Hilbert raised £114 for the charity, which focuses on the early detection of breast cancer by encouraging women under 30 to regularly check their breasts.

She contributed the funds towards another local fundraising campaign being led by Carnival Queen Debbie Holman, who recently completed a 62-mile trek for the charity following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2022.

“The run was very hot, but I had two friends who I regularly run with join me,” said Kelly. “We did it in 34 minutes, which I was pretty pleased with. On the way round, I had lots of support from other runners, clapping and cheering me on, as well as from spectators.”

Kelly has recovered from breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2021. She said, “It was picked up in a routine mammogram that I’ve had annually since the age of 35, due to breast cancer being in my family.”

As she was finishing her treatment, Debbie was then diagnosed, and the two women became friends.

“We became a support for each other and good friends,” said Kelly. “We can talk about the experience and how the medication and treatment made us feel.”

“It was great to be able to contribute to Debbie’s fundraiser. People of all ages take part in parkrun, so this was a great place to go dressed in the CoppaFeel boob.”