My dad was so healthy – it can happen to anyone
Last updated 09:20, Saturday, 28 June 2008
“MY DAD burned too brightly, he will always be my inspiration. I am doing this for him.”
Cumbrian singer Cindy Hoten, lost her beloved dad Roger, 53, to small bowel cancer a year ago and will take part in Race for Life for the first time next month to raise money for Cancer Research and awareness of her dad’s condition.
She said: “My dad would have found this hilarious as he tried to get me into fitness many an unsuccessful time.
“He was a fitness fanatic and I was his typical daughter who was more interested in going to the pub but he was always trying to drag me out into the sunshine.
“You just never know how you will respond to losing someone so close.”
Also a singer and a Rod Stewart fan, Roger suffered with small bowel cancer for two years before passing away in July last year.
His passion for music is one trait Cindy, who lives in Whitehaven, did inherit from her dad.
“My dad was only 53 when he died but he behaved like a 18-year-old,” she said. “He was a fantastic performer with a huge following.”
Cindy, who works as a technical officer at Sellafield, wowed crowds at Carlisle Live last year and is fresh from recording with a rock band in LA.
She added: “I am back home now and quite happy spending time with my mum, Carol.
“It was amazing working out in LA and everyone keeps asking me when I am going back but sometimes you have just got to take stock of what is important to you.”
Cindy’s dad encouraged her to take part in the Stobart Factor competition but passed away before he got to see her – the only Cumbrian in the final – perform before 20,000 people at Carlisle Live.
Roger had dreams of running a bar in Greece with his talented daughter which they would both sing in.
After getting the all clear, Cindy said he began making plans.
“He got all the paper work and picked a place and then the cancer came back again.
“He died a year later.
“My dad was really healthy – if this can happen to him then it can happen to anybody.
“It really brings home the importance of getting checks and looking after yourself.”
n Are you taking part in Race for Life this year?
Have you run before in memory of a suffer or are you a cancer survivor yourself?
We want to hear your story. Contact reporter Linzi Watson by email at lwatson@cngroup.co.uk or telephone 01228 612643.
To sign up for the event at the Sheepmount Stadium on Sunday, July 13, visit www.raceforlife.org/northwest or call hotline 08716412276.
LWatson@cngroup.co.uk
