Best friends raise £10,000 for charity

Two runners with strong Newtown ties will take on this year’s London Marathon in memory of a much-loved local mum, while raising thousands of pounds for a cancer charity that supported their family.

Best friends Becky Mumby, 32, and Evie Williams grew up together in Newtown, attending the same primary and high schools and later working side by side. Their families became equally close over the years, with Evie’s mum, Ali Williams, and Becky’s mum, Caroline Mumby, forming a strong friendship of their own.

Ali was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2022. Despite surgery and immunotherapy, the disease spread, and she later lost her sight when melanoma reached her eyes and brain. She died in September 2025, aged 63.

Now, Becky and her brother Nick, 34, are preparing to run the London Marathon on April 26 in her memory, raising funds for Tenovus Cancer Care.

Becky said the charity played a vital role during Ali’s illness.

“We chose Tenovus Cancer Care as they have been such a great help during this challenging time,” she said. “When I sat down with Ali to ask who she wanted us to raise money for, she said that Tenovus were there to support her, her husband Duncan and Evie through practical support, emotional wellbeing and counselling.

“Ali was a fashion icon, she loved clothes and style was her passion. She was always outgoing and became part of our family and we all miss her so much.

“Nick and I wanted to do something to remember her by and to help the charity who offered her and her family much needed support when they needed it.”

The challenge will be Becky’s first marathon.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I am not a runner,” she added. “Nick on the other hand has already done the London Marathon, so he has been giving me all the hints and tips. He will be out in front leading the way, whilst I will be aiming to just complete the marathon and if that takes all day, then so be it.”

The wider group of family and friends have rallied around the effort, organising quiz nights and auctions to raise funds.

Together, they have already raised around £10,000.

Duncan Williams, Ali’s husband of 42 years, said: “For Becky and Nick to do this for Ali means the absolute world to our family. It gives us something positive to channel all our grief and sadness into and keeps her memory alive.

“The team have raised an extraordinary amount of money and if this helps even one person or family, then it’s all worth it.”

Evie added: “Mum adored both Becky and Nick, and I just know how immensely proud she would be of them both. For them to do this in her memory and raise this amount of money is an extraordinary effort.

“Tenovus were there for us in our darkest time and to fundraise for them is a privilege. We are so incredibly proud of them and cannot wait to celebrate all their hard work at the finish line.”

Anyone wishing to support the fundraising effort can donate via their JustGiving page.

Tenovus Cancer Care provides support, counselling and advice to people affected by cancer across Wales, helping patients and families through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.