GEORGE NEWS - When former Georgian Michelle Allen runs the London Marathon in April it will be a bittersweet experience. Every step she takes will be in honour of her mother, Linda Zaaiman, who died of cancer in 2016 at the age of 55.
Zaaiman, also an avid runner, had wanted to complete this race with her daughter.
"My goal is to raise money for a British cancer charity called Leukemia Care. I also want to honour my mom's memory through a sport that she loved by doing a race that she wanted to complete with me, but we never got to do," says Allen.
Her father, Johan Zaaiman, and brother Naas, his wife Cisca and baby Lea, live in George where Allen grew up and completed her schooling before leaving to study in Stellenbosch. She now lives in the UK with her husband and daughter.
"My mom was a well-known member of the community in George and a member of the Eden Running Club. Her death was an incredible shock. My mom was the kindest, healthiest and most energetic person I have ever known. She could not give enough to other people, their happiness made her happy. Her family was her everything and boy, did she love to exercise! She was a qualified fitness instructor, a yoga expert and an ultra-marathon runner. She completed the Comrades Ultra Marathon in 2016, only a few months before she was diagnosed with cancer," says Allen.
Her participation in the London Marathon is also to inspire cancer sufferers. "I want to show them there are people who are fighting for them and who want to help beat this disease."
People wanting to donate, can do so at https://2018-london-marathon.everydayhero.com/uk/running-for-my-mom. Donations go directly to Leukemia Care.
Follow Allen's progress on Instagram @michelleallen1984.
Michelle during a training run.
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