Derbyshire work colleagues race for life in memory of much-loved colleague

The group of 12 friends and colleagues from science company Lubrizol, whose UK headquarters is in Hazelwood near Belper, took part in the popular fundraiser at Markeaton Park in Derby in memory of colleague Julie Hyde – who passed away from cancer earlier this year.

Julie, of Belper, worked in the administration department of Lubrizol for many years, and was described as a “really, really good mentor” with a “heart of gold” by her close friend and colleague Nikky Waring.

Nikky, part of the group from Lubrizol who took part in Race for Life, said: “Julie was my mentor when I started at Lubrizol. She was so patient. We shared some sad times together and we shared some happy and some fun times. She had a heart of gold.”

Julie’s illness was discovered when she went to the doctor suffering with back ache which turned out to be breast cancer. Colleague Kim Reid, who also took part in Race for Life in Julie’s memory, said: “She remained as positive as she could through it all. She said she was going to keep fighting and she did.

“It’s just so sad. She had got so much left to give. We all miss her but we all still talk about her often in the office as well. There are policies and procedures at work that we still use, that Julie created.”

The Lubrizol team of runners have so far raised nearly £3,000 for Cancer Research UK including a generous donation from Lubrizol.

Tom Grazier, chair of Lubrizol’s charities and communities committee, which contributed to the group’s Race for Life total, said: “Cancer has obviously touched everyone’s lives in some way so we were very happy to contribute to our colleagues from Lubrizol who were taking part in Race for Life, in memory of Julie Hyde.”

To donate to the Lubrizol group’s Race for Life fundraiser, visit their online fundraising page: Lubrizol (cancerresearchuk.org)