Lynda's helping memories and Mary Poppins at Relay for Life Luton

A determined Wigmore mum, whose husband battled cancer, is helping to run a special tea party in Luton to raise funds for a cure.
Lynda and Geoff, in the middle, complete the final relay lap in 2010Lynda and Geoff, in the middle, complete the final relay lap in 2010
Lynda and Geoff, in the middle, complete the final relay lap in 2010

Lynda Bowman, 67, is one of the organisers of the VIP survivors’ tea at Cancer 
Research UK Relay for Life Luton, which will see survivors of the disease – and those still battling it – attend a special afternoon lunch on Saturday.

Lynda herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2014, but after an operation and radiotherapy is doing well, three years into her five year tablet treatment.

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However, Lynda sadly lost her husband, Geoff, age 62, in January 2011, after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, the cancer spreading to other parts of his body.

Geoff and Lynda.Geoff and Lynda.
Geoff and Lynda.

Lynda said: “I felt numb when I was intitially diagnosed – we’d been there and done that with Geoff.

“When we went to the Relay for Life, Geoff didn’t like the word ‘survivor’ – it was more about stopping his cancer in its path; we knew that ultimately it wouldn’t be cured, so we wrote ‘surviv-ING’ on his tshirt!

“People’s reasons for enjoying the relay are individual to each person; it can be just a thank you, or to raise money - there’s not many people who aren’t touched by cancer.”

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Geoff’s two daughters, Claire and Tanya, enjoyed dressing up at Relay for Life, and their parents have been supporting the relay for nearly 10 years, the family becoming part of the organisers of the survivors’ VIP tea in 2014.

Lynda said: "Afternoon tea laid out 2015. Note one of the Arndale flamingoes lent by Luton Arndale."Lynda said: "Afternoon tea laid out 2015. Note one of the Arndale flamingoes lent by Luton Arndale."
Lynda said: "Afternoon tea laid out 2015. Note one of the Arndale flamingoes lent by Luton Arndale."

The event sees teams 
of friends and families complete a 24-hour relay at Stockwood Athletics Centre on September 16 and 17 with stalls, fun, and live music for the public.

At 12noon the VIP survivors will kick off the relay with one honorary lap before enjoying their special tea in a Mary Poppins themed tent! The last day to register as a VIP survivor is tomorrow.

> To register, call Lynda on 0755 7734089.