We are doing the race for life on July 13th for an amazing inspirational lady  who fought cancer until she could fight no more. The race is closest to her birthday 10th July she would have been 50 so in celebration we race in her memory.

She left behind her family husband Jimmy Children Dale Jessica Gerry and Danny the latter boys being only 12 and 9 years of age.  Her Mum and Dad moved in and dedicated their lives to looking after the children while her husband keeps the business they bought together last October only 3 months before Jackie's cancer returned. She never complained she was the life and soul and kept everyone laughing in my Salon. This lady deserves our tribute and its a pleasure doing the Race for Life in her memory. I was fortunate enough to meet this truly amazing lady three years ago at Tameside Hospital where I myself had a scare, a lump on my breast, I didn't wish or want to talk about it to anyone but Jackie changed my view and told me that we should spread the word and raise awareness,  I had the perfect platform in my hair salon and so I gladly took her advice, you didn't argue with Jackie. She telephoned and text me from that one meeting until I got my results from that day forward I met a true friend. She turned up at my Salon and said "Hi this is your worst nightmare" laughing as she spoke from that day on we were firm friends. She had been diagnosed with  breast cancer five years ago, and had double mastectomy, she was at hospital for a check up when I met her. She later had reconstruction and underwent surgery which she said was worse for her than the mastectomy, but even then was so brave and never complained. She had returned from Spain where the family had moved to start a new life, because of the news of the cancer they returned . Her husband had to stay in Spain to sell the business, on his return they decided to buy Jackie's new baby Oscars on the A6 in Stockport formerly known as Zurris a most fabulous bar with function rooms. This was signed and sealed in the October and at Christmas Jackie came into the Salon in terrible pain down her hip and leg, after CT scans were done, it was found the cancer was back with a vengeance she had bone cancer, then found it had spread throughout her body and was given a short time to live.  But Jackie battled this never complaining and keeping cheerful and would not give in to this she battled courageously right up until the end November 2nd 2013.  She even arranged her own funeral, she met up with a humanist minister in my salon to discuss what she wanted, she picked her own music for the funeral and even arranged for her sister to give out angel dust to her closest family and friends at the funeral I was honoured to be one.  She left presents and birthday cards in boxes for her children and her family.She was the most amazing outstanding woman we all miss you so much Jackie.

We would like to add that we have been touched by all the people we have been involved with over the years and cannot let this opportunity go by without adding a great big list to our memory board.

To Marlene my best friend and second Mum to my children who battled so courageously and gave up in January 2001 aged just 50, may her memory live on in us all we love and miss you Marlene and will never forget you. We were having Christmas dinner with our friends and children at the Midland Hotel in Manchester just 9 days before she died she looked amazing as we pushed her in her wheelchair again never complaining.  She had breast cancer that came back in her bones.

To Frank my brother in law the most courageous kind and caring man a rock to all had the honour to know him, leaving my Sister and her four children and grand children without a wonderful husband and father and grand father and all the family, he died July 1999. 

To Stan and Trish Kynaston both being taken within 6 months of each other, with cancer, Stan was Deputy Head at my children's school and he was a man who always thought of others before himself.

To Edith Hodkinson my mother in law a very courageous woman who was diagnosed with stomach cancer which had spread, she had never told anyone about her illness so it was left too late to help her, she was taken in a  short time. She left her husband, son and grandson and was loved and admired by all that she knew.

To Graham Brierley  husband to Janet.  Graham was a kind and loving husband to Janet and will be greatly missed.

To Richard Cooke a wonderful man who left Winifred his wife and son and daughter and grand children he sadly lost his battle in April 2009.

To All our Clients Friends and Families who have lost someone tragically to this awful disease, we have all been touched by somebody who have been diagnosed with this illness and have been lucky to have been treated and come through the other side.

To John my brother in law who is battling now with this illness and keeping positive throughout and determined to beat it.

Naomi my stylist in the Salon who is running the race for life for loved ones who have lost their fight and also fighting now.  She knew Jackie and was so affected by her story as she was close to Jackie's daughter and saw first hand how hard it was for her and the children. Naomi's granddad Stan died in 2005 with lung cancer she was aged only 9 and this was a massive loss for her. Her other granddad Bob fought cancer since 2004 and has won. Naomi has been greatly affected by  by being part of the Salon for the last four years, she has gained Client's trust who have naturally confided in her about their stories.  She has a close bond with me and therefore we are all affected by everyone who has to deal with this illness.

To all our  Clients and friends who have been diagnosed with cancer and got an inner strength to beat this.

We are all touched by someone who either knows someone with Cancer or lost someone.

Thank You for joining us in this tribute to a very special lady Jackie, who fought and lost her battle with cancer last November.

She did not give up easily and was brave and cheerful to  the end and we miss her terribly.

She leaves a wonderful family some of which are running the Race for Life in her name and the others supporting on the sidelines.

Jackie was an inspiration to us all and I know she will be looking down on us with pride that we are keeping her memory alive

Here is to all the others that we have lost to this terrible illness they will never be forgot and we run in pride of them.

Here finally is to the people that we know and love who are battling with this disease and hopefully thanks to all that support Cancer research will beat this and live on.

To All our Loved Ones we will ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU WITH LOVE X

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