Sisters act to raise money

Feb 29 2008 by Jessica Flynn, South Wales Echo

SOPRANO Kirsten Offer will be hoping to hit the right notes singing in a fundraising concert and running the London Marathon.

Kirsten was persuaded to run the 26 miles on April 13 by her sister Neiline, who has beaten cancer three times.

The pair will be raising money for Cancer Research UK and for the restoration fund of Holy Cross Parish Church in Cowbridge.

Neiline, who has been treated for bowel cancer twice and cervical cancer, and who has been in remission since November, wanted to do the marathon with Kirsten to have someone to share in her lifelong ambition.

The sisters have set themselves fundraising targets adding up to £20,000.

Kirsten, from Splott, Cardiff, founder member of the Vivace Singers, is selling tickets for the charity concert, on Easter Sunday, March 23, at 7pm.

She will be joined by fellow concert organiser and full- time member of the Welsh National Opera chorus, Paula Jane Bradbury, with compere Mark Evans.

Tickets are £10 and are available from Quills or Sorrento in Cowbridge or from Kirsten Offer.

Kirsten, 37, a PA at the University of Glamorgan, said: “Neiline was given the all- clear last autumn and wanted to do something for Cancer Research UK. She spoke to the charity and they suggested the London Marathon and so she asked me if I’d like to do it with her.

“Also, being a singer and having lots of lovely colleagues, they suggested doing a concert. We have both always done running but we’re not avid runners. We’ve both been training and are looking forward to the marathon.”

To make a donation to either Cancer Research UK or Holy Cross Church Restoration Fund, visit www.runningsponsorme.org/kirstenoffer or contact Kirsten on 07889 129120.

Anyone with a place in the marathon who would like to run for Cancer Research UK, should call 0870 162 1622 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/running jessica.flynn@mediawales.co.uk