The Fluid Blog

Rhiannon’s Race for Life story

Written by Natasha Ithildin | May 30, 2023 2:37:20 PM

We love supporting our team! 

From their mental health to charity endeavours close to their hearts, when our team needs us, we’ll be there. 

Like a promotional merchandise superhero. 

So when we heard about our team member Rhiannon and her family participating in Race for Life in memory of her stepsister Zara, it was all systems go to help them reach their fundraising goals! 

Here’s Rhiannon and Zara’s story. 

What’s Race for Life?

One of the biggest fundraising events in the Cancer Research UK calendar, Race for Life includes 3k, 5k, and even 10k running routes all across the country with the aim of raising funds for cancer research.

The first race was held in 1994 in Battersea, where 750 participants raised an amazing £48,000. This has now grown to numerous events across the country. To date, events have raised over £940 million towards beating cancer - an absolutely amazing achievement. 

To find out more about this awesome event, or if you’d like to find out how to participate, you can find out more here: Race for Life. 

Rhiannon (right) with her stepsister Zara(left)

Rhiannon’s Race for Life story  

Rhiannon is our resident Senior Merchandise Store Administrator. She’s amazing at what she does (you know you’ll be in very safe hands with Rhiannon!) and she always does everything with a smile. Bubbly and proactive, and integral to our Fluid family, we can’t wait to help her and her family reach their Race for Life goals.

 

1. What's your biggest driving factor/inspiration for this run?

I’ll be doing the Race For Life in memory of my stepsister Zara, who we sadly lost earlier this year after a very short battle with a rare and aggressive lung Cancer.

Zara was a marathon runner and had the most amazing collection of medals. She always had a race planned and she was, without fail, always training hard for them. It just feels right that my family and I will be doing this race in her memory. 

 

 Zara's medal collection for all the 5k, 10k, half marathons and marathons she took part in

The Dopey medals needed their own wall display!

Everything she achieved in life, her attitude towards every goal she set for herself and how she always did everything with a smile, makes me so proud! An amazing role model I will always admire. 

She used to say, “It’s not about the bling ....but it’s about the bling!”

Even though my medal collection will never be like Zara’s, she has inspired me to strap on my trainers and go for it!

 

2. How are you training/preparing for the run?

A LOT of cardio! And of course, eating right and keeping hydrated! 

As hard as it can be to get in the gym at 6 am sometimes, I know that once I complete the race and see how much I’ve raised, it’ll all be worth it.

Zara running the Dopey in Disneyworld Florida in January 2022

 
3. Have you set any personal goals for the run, such as finishing within a certain time or running a certain distance?

My family and I are doing this together, so as long as we all cross that finish line hand in hand, I’ll be thrilled!

 

4. What’re you hoping to achieve with the run?

I’ve set myself a goal to raise at least £200, but any more would be absolutely incredible!

I would also love to make this a yearly tradition with my family, 5k every year for Zara.

My ultimate goal would be to complete a half marathon in her memory.

Zara with her dopey medals. 4 days of running involving 5K, 10k, half marathon and full marathon!

 
5. How can we donate?

Please donate below!

You can also find out more about Zara’s story here as well. 

Every donation big or small is truly appreciated, and I can’t tell you how much it’ll mean to me and my family.

 

6. What 3 bits of advice would you give anyone wanting to participate in Race for Life?

Be more Zara and just go for it! 

Train properly, eat right and get in the right mental head space; anything is possible.

Zara with her Dopey medal in Disneyworld January 2022. One of her greatest running achievements!

 

We’re more than just merchandise  

We understand that we’re accountable for the health and happiness of our team. That’s why we’re a tight-knit bunch, always looking out for each other. And we love to champion those that are making Fluid such a wonderful place to work. 

We’re here to encourage our team to get involved with raising funds or volunteering for causes or charities that they feel passionate about, especially when it’s so close to their hearts. 

Thanks for sharing your story, Rhiannon. From all here at Fluid, we wish you and your family an amazing Race for Life in memory of Zara.  

Remember, be more Zara! 

If you’d like to make a donation to Rhiannon and her family, please click on the link below.