Mum's run in memory of son

10:31am Wednesday 30th May 2007

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A DEVOTED mum hopes to release a batch of red balloons as she finishes a 5km run next month - in memory of her son who died from cancer.

Nathan Austin, six, died in July last year, just weeks after cheering on his mum, Lucy, at the Race for Life event in High Wycombe.

Lucy, 26, took part in the charity event for her son, but this year will run in his memory alongside four friends as "Nathan's Angels".

They have produced their own personalised T-shirts with a picture of him on the front and Lucy, of Plantation Road, High Wycombe, also plans to release some red balloons as they cross the finishing line.

This will be in tribute to Nathan whose favourite colour was red. The former King's Wood school pupil died following a brave four-year battle with cancer.

Lucy said: "He was there with me last year so it is going to be quite emotional this year doing it without him.

"It has been ten months and we are coping.

"He left us with the attitude that life is very short and he kept smiling and I think we have all taken a piece of Nathan with us."

The Cancer Research UK run takes place on June 17 at The Rye and Lucy is hoping to beat her fundraising total last year of £388.

She met all the ladies running in her team through Nathan, including Claire Manley, who he randomly invited into the house one day for a cuppa.

Nathan was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2001, but went through extensive treatment which prolonged his life.

His family have set up a memorial to him in their garden and Lucy plans to add her finishing medal to it after completing the run.

She said: "We have extended it since Christmas. It is a place where we can buy him gifts on birthdays and certain anniversaries.

"It is worth keeping his memory alive and us running with him on our T-shirts is a way of keeping him alive and also doing good for Cancer Research."

To sponsor Lucy visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/nathanaustin. To support the charity call 0207 009 8820.