Football coach to take on Run Norwich in memory of player’s father
James Bloomfield who is doing a charity run in memory of Tom Ship. James pictured with Tom's family, wife Charlotte, daughter Megan and son James.Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
A football coach is joining thousands of other competitors to take on the Run Norwich 10km race.
James Bloomfield who is doing a charity run in memory of Tom Ship. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
James Bloomfield, 24, has been inspired to go the distance in memory of Tom Ship, a father-of-two who died suddenly at just 44 years old in December.
'I'm running for Pancreatic Cancer UK,' said James.
'This is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the charity and I'm amazed at how strong Tom's family are.
'I hope that with the help of kind sponsors we can raise further awareness of pancreatic cancer and the charity.'
James Bloomfield who is doing a charity run in memory of Tom Ship. Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
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Tom, who lived in Roydon with his wife Charlotte and children James, 13, and Megan, 11, died after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
James added: 'It feels quite close to home as I coach Tom's son at Diss Town under 13s football and I've known his sister, Kate, for a long time.'
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Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the UK and its predicted to overtake breast cancer by 2030.
One person dies from the brutal cancer every hour and it has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 common cancers with just four per cent of people living for five years or more after diagnosis.
James Bloomfield who is doing a charity run in memory of Tom Ship. James pictured with Tom's family, wife Charlotte, daughter Megan and son James.Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
Leeann Wilmer, the head of events, community and individual giving at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: 'We are delighted James is taking part in Run Norwich and that he has chosen to support us.
'The funds raised will help provide crucial support and information to people with pancreatic cancer and their families, such as our free support line, as well as funding innovative and vital research into the disease.'
James, who has been coaching football teams for nine years, is feeling confident ahead of the race this summer.
'I've never done something like this before but I don't tend to get nervous,' he said.
'I'm really looking forward to it although in the build up right at the start I might get nervous.'
To support James at Run Norwich on August 5 visit his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/james-bloomfield10
