The last fundraising event of 2025 for our Marketing Manager Kenika Gumbs was a triumph of willpower over adversity.
It was an under-the-weather Kenika who stepped out along with hundreds of other runners, many in Christmas fancy dress, to take part in the Media City 10k run, completing four 2.5km laps of the scenic Salford Quays route in a personal best 10k time of one hour, one minute.
Kenika was fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer Action, a UK charity dedicated to saving lives through early diagnosis, in memory of her grandpa and a close friend who have both fallen victim to the disease.
The charity focuses on raising awareness of symptoms, educating healthcare professionals, and ensuring more people are diagnosed in time for potentially life-saving treatment.
Kenika says: "Running the race was especially meaningful for me. I took on this challenge in honour of my grandpa and best friend, who I've lost to pancreatic cancer. As many people know, this disease often goes undetected until it's too late - something I've now seen far too close.
"It was a stunning but challenging course with bridges and views all the way around. This was my last race for the year, and after running up and down those bridges, I'm ready to go again this year!"
But the day didn't quite go to plan for Kenika, who suffered an allergic reaction before the race, but decided to go ahead anyway.
She explains: "I didn't feel great, but I still went ahead and completed the race in my bright orange shoes, and I wore my Pancreatic Cancer Action shirt proudly, spreading awareness.
"I'm glad I did it - it showed me that anything I set my mind to, I can achieve. I love a good challenge and I'm really proud I achieved a personal best!"
This was Kenika's third fundraising run of the year after completing the Race4Life for Cancer Research UK along with our HR Manager, Carole Hamnett-Sadler, in the spring and then taking part in the Manchester Half Marathon in aid of MQ Mental Health, which funds vital research to better understand, treat, and prevent mental illness, in October.
She adds: "This year I've collected a few medals, but more importantly I've learned how powerful community support can be. I can't wait to collect more in 2026."
If you'd like to support Kenika's Media City 10k run, please visit her fundraising page
here.