A MUSICIAN with leukaemia is hoping to inspire a fellow fundraiser’s marathon efforts for a cancer charity.

A York church will come alive with the sound of music this weekend to help Anna Hollingworth, of Holgate, raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Flautist Lynne Burnett gave Anna a taste of what the audience will hear as she played a musical accompaniment to Anna’s training for the London Marathon, when the Holgate runner will also be raising money for the charity.

Both women have personal experience of cancer – Anna’s grandmother had breast cancer and Lynne has leukaemia and is a hard-working fundraiser for cancer charities.

Lynne said: “If I hadn’t had my Macmillan Nurse, Jocelyn, I wouldn’t have got through it mentally. The family couldn’t always cope with what I was trying to tell them. Jocelyn was a fantastic support. We have got to rely on people like Anna to help to raise money for Macmillan so that they can continue to be able to help people when they really need it.”

She was to have been among those taking part in the music night called Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud, at Our Lady’s RC Church, in Gale Lane, Acomb, on Saturday, organised by her music teacher and member of York Opera Emma Tatnall, but other commitments meant she couldn’t make it. Anna has already completed the York 10k run for the cancer charity.

Anna said: “My grandma had breast cancer and I wanted to do something positive to make a difference.

“The support both on the route and before and after the event was fantastic, and I‘m sure that running for Team Macmillan at the London marathon will be an incredible experience.”

Tickets for Saturday night are priced £3 on the door. The concert begins at 7pm.Anyone wanting to sponsor Anna can do so via justgiving.com/Anna-Hollingworth