Best foot forward for a ‘fun and laughter’ work mate colleague remembered by colleagues

The workmates at O’Brien Contractors in Cubbington will be putting on their running shoes in honour of a much-loved colleague Graham Crick, who died in February, aged 33.

They will be taking part in the 13.1-mile Bupa Great Birmingham Run on October 21 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Becci Emerton, marketing manager at O’Brien Contractors, said Mr Crick was a quantity surveyor who was treated for skin cancer in 2006.

But last September, Mr Crick, of Northamptonshire, was given just months to live after finding a lump on his chest.

She said: “We were all devastated. Graham, or Gray as he liked to be called, was a fantastic part of our team. He brought fun and laughter into our lives and is truly missed by every one of us.

“So in order to not let this opportunity pass us by we are, all 28 of us, tall, short, fat and thin, pulling on our running shoes to raise money for a cause that is very close to all our hearts.

“We hope to raise at least £3,000 in Gray’s memory. And if that’s not enough incentive, our managing director Peter O’Brien has offered the first five people to raise £200 an extra day’s holiday.”

Cancer Research UK’s team of more than 2,700 runners are aiming to raise more than £1 million to help beat the disease.

It spent more than £8 million last year in the West Midlands supporting the work of doctors, nurses and scientists finding ways to beat cancer by understanding its causes and how best to prevent and treat it.

Helen Jackson, of Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re delighted that so many of the O’Brien colleagues are part of our team. It’s thanks to support like this that Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists are able to go on making progress in the fight against cancer.”

To sponsor the O’Brien team visit: www.justgiving.com/graysrun-2012