Leanne Quigley is supporting Cancer Research UK following her fiancé’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2024Traitors star Leanne QuigleyTraitors star Leanne Quigley is urging people in Manchester to sign up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events (Image: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Ima)

BBC Traitors winner Leanne Quigley is urging people across Manchester to sign up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life following her own participation in the event. Leanne took part in the charity’s Race for Life events after her fiancé was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, and she is now urging others to do the same.

Leanne, 30, and her fiancé Sophie Jones, 33, completed a Pretty Muddy event last summer to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Together the pair were able to raise more than £1,200 to be put towards funding lifesaving research into beating cancer.

The challenge also marked an emotional milestone for the pair, with the race taking place almost a year after the start of Sophie’s cancer treatment. Following multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, Sophie has now also been announced to be in remission.

Following the pair’s involvement with Cancer Research UK, Leanne is now urging people in Manchester to kick off the new year by signing up to the city’s Race for Life event, in order to help raise funds for research.

Leanne said: “I’m all in against cancer. It was incredibly hard watching Sophie, the person I love, go through cancer and it put life into perspective .It was our gang, our close family and friends who got us through the toughest of times. Crossing the finish line at Race for Life with these people was unforgettable.

“Sophie is back at work now, we’re planning our wedding and our twin boys turn three in January so there’s plenty to look forward to. And we’re supporting Race for Life to help others facing cancer right now.”

Leanne Quigley and her partner Sophie-Jones with their two children as they took take part in the Pretty Muddy event at Sefton Park, LiverpoolLeanne Quigley and her partner Sophie-Jones with their two children as they took take part in a Race for Life Pretty Muddy event last summer(Image: Richard Walker/ImageNorth)

Cancer Research UK’s North West spokesperson, Jemma Humphreys, said: “It’s time for Manchester to go all in against cancer. Whether you’re a five-a-side crew, book club, dance troupe, yoga club, fancy doing something fun with your friends- or on your own- we want everyone to join us.

“Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. Race for Life powers progress and it relies on a whole community of people coming together, united by a common purpose to beat cancer.

“For those who do enjoy a challenge, our 10k events will again be chip timed, perfect for anyone wanting to track their progress or aim for a personal best. But Race for Life is non-competitive. People can walk, jog or run and go at their own pace. What matters most is showing up together. There is a race for everyone and we mean everyone.”

Race for Life events will be taking place this year at Woodbank Memorial Park, Stockport, on June 7 and at Heaton Park, Manchester, July 4 and 5. Events will also be taking place at Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan, on May 7 and at Tatton Park on June 27 and 28.

Events are open to all ages and abilities and participants can choose to take part in 3k, 5k or 10k events. Cancer Research UK will also be launching a Pretty Muddy event, which will involve at 5k mud-splattered obstacle course at Heaton Park and Tatton Park.

You can enter into the events here.