AddThis SmartLayers

Sisters to race in memory of young journalist

Friends of a journalist who died from leukamia at the age of 26 will take part in a charity race to add to the thousands of pounds already raised in his memory.

Richard Woolley a former reporter and sub-editor with Johnston Press weekly title the Ripley and Heanor News died from leukamia in October 2009.

Sisters Emma and Liz Dominey will take part in the Cancer Research Race For Life in Derby on Sunday spurred on by memories of Richard who also worked as a reporter at the Matlock Mercury.

The sisters’ fundraising efforts will add to more than £3,000 which has already been raised in Richard’s memory through the sales of a book he wrote during his illness called  Leukaemia – My Marathon For Love. Further funds were raised through a performance of a play he wrote when he was younger with the proceeds going to Anthony Nolan and the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charities.

Richard was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2008 and immediately began a course of chemotherapy. During his illness he married childhood sweetheart Mary.

Liz, 27, told the Derby Evening Telegraph: “The last time I saw him was two days before he died. He was lying on the sofa. Mary was a trained nurse and had managed to arrange to care for him at home.

“He had his eyes closed and I was talking quitely to Mary. Then Richard started to get up. We went to help but he told us not to.

“He was so weak. He came over to me and just held me. He was skin and bones and we just hugged. He knew this was the last time he would probably see me.”

Further fundraising events set to take place in Richard’s memory include a ‘Forget Me Not’ day which will be held at Rother Valley Country Park in Sheffield in June next year. The event is being organised by Richard’s dad Mike who said his son would be quietly impressed by the amount they had raised for the charities close to his heart.