Butcher Liam will honour uncle who died of bowel cancer with marathon run

Liam Cawtheray, who works at Hall Farm Butchery in Stratford St Mary, lost uncle Andy Hallas to the condition in 2016. He was 58 at the time of his death.

Next month, Liam is running the world famous 26.2 mile race to raise money for charity Bowel and Cancer Research.

Liam said: “Andy and his wife, Joanne, were best friends with my mum and dad, resulting in both families becoming as one.

“They had two daughters Kayleigh and Bethany and my parents had three sons - me, Lewis and Harvey.

“We did everything together - holidays, Christmas, birthdays, weekends, staying and eating at each others’ homes.

“Andy had a presence about him not many people possess. He would walk into a room and the whole place would light up.

“When we were growing up he would take us over the fields to play football and cricket, as well as on long walks and make up incredible stories along the way to keep all five of us entertained.”

Although the families moved apart when the Cawtherays moved to Stratford, they still stayed as close.

The extended group were forced to pull together when Joanne died from cervical cancer and soon after Andy was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Liam is dedicating his run to Andy but also Joanne and uncle Kevin, who lost their lives to different forms of the illness, as well as stepdad John who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

He said: “Unfortunately I had to pull out of the marathon last year due to injury so this year I am doing it with extra determination.

“Andy really was like a father figure to us all. He was the most charismatic, fun, amazing, all-round brilliant guy and I can’t express in words how much we all miss him.

“I hope I’ll be doing Uncle Andy proud and he’ll be smiling down when I cross the finish line and raise a beer to celebrate his life. He used to call me his best mate which I’ll never forget.”

Donate at bowelcancerresearch.org/fundraisers/liam-cawtherays-fundraising-page.