A RUN in memory of a mum who battled with cancer is returning to Colchester on the first anniversary of her death.

The 5k Run for Gem was inspired by 33-year-old mother-of-two Gemma Edgar, who died from an aggressive and incurable brain tumour last December.

A year after her death, the run is taking place again in Castle Park to raise money for Brain Tumour Research and St Helena Hospice, where she received end-of-life care.

Her friend Cara Greenley, who organised the event, said she and Gemma met at St Helena School in Colchester as teenagers.

Cara said: “I started running a couple of years ago and last year Gemma and I ran the London Marathon.

“We both ran with the Running Colchester group and our friendship grew.

“Gemma was a nurse at the time so it was hard for us to train together but we would message each other about how we were getting on.”

Knowing Gemma had a brain tumour, Cara would pop round for a cup of tea and check up on her.

She said: “We would talk about things and she said she still wanted to run to raise money.

“We kept in contact and then in the September she was taken to the hospice.

“She lasted right up until December. When I went to visit her I told her I wanted to continue fundraising.

“I told her about Run for Gem and she said it was an amazing idea.”

Last year’s event saw an incredible 250 runners take part and about £5,000 was raised.

The money was split between the hospice and Brain Tumour Research.

Cara said: “After she passed away, her dad asked me to continue fundraising in her name and I said absolutely.

“So many people asked me to make it an annual thing.

“I’m trying to raise awareness as it seems more important this year as she’s not here.”

Last year’s event raised enough money for a plaque on the memory wall at Brain Tumour Research.

This year’s event will take place in Castle Park, starting at 10.30am on December 7.

Entry is £5 per person.

To donate to the fundraising pages visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cara-greenley4 or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Cara-greenley3.

Search for Run for Gem - 1 year anniversary 2019 on Facebook or email Carah62222@gmail.com for more information.