An inspirational local mum is taking on Bluebell Wood’s Mud Madness race for the second year in a row in memory of her daughter who died days before her 10^th birthday.

The Hesley Wood Scout Camp event is back by popular demand after the mum joined hundreds of intrepid souls to clamber over an obstacle course and wade through knee-deep mud last year.

Dawn Cusworth, whose family spent time at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice after her daughter Mia died in 2018, has made it her mission to help the hospice, raising an incredible £19,000 so far. 

The dedicated mum has already roped in 25 friends and family members to get muddy in this year’s event, including teachers from Mia’s school – Hoyland Common Primary.

“There was a group of 15 of us who did Mud Madness last year and it was so much fun,” said Dawn, 46, from Birdwell.

“We enjoyed it so much that as soon as we’d finished we immediately decided to do it again the following year.”

After completing last year’s event in pink shorts, the group have decided to go a step further this year.

Dawn said: “This time we’re going to do it in tutus and tiaras so you won’t be able to miss us! We’re very much looking forward to it and I’m hoping to get some more people on board.

“For us it’s about starting as a group and finishing as a group. It’s not a race for us - it’s about having lots of fun, crossing the finish line together and raising as much as possible for Bluebell Wood.”

Dawn began fundraising for Bluebell Wood after her previously healthy daughter Mia died within eight days of being diagnosed with a rare condition called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

“Staying at Bluebell Wood after she passed away was so important for all our family,” said Dawn,” who has two other children, Jenna and Kyle.

“It gave us the chance to come to terms with losing Mia, without having to think about all the big decisions we needed to make straight away.

“The support they offered was priceless, so I just want to raise as much money as I can for this amazing charity.”

Mud Madness comes to Sheffield on Saturday April 18th, with hundreds of people expected to tackle a three or six-kilometre route at Hesley Wood Scout Camp, Chapeltown. The three-kilometre Family Mud Madness is suitable for anyone over the age of 11, and the six-kilometre Mud Madness for participants aged 17 and over.

Beth Cole, Events Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: “Taking on Mud Madness is a fantastic way to help families like Mia’s when they need us the most.

“There are courses to suit all abilities so this is the perfect opportunity to create some wonderful memories while making a real difference to local families at the same time.

“We’d also like to thank the organisers MLS for choosing Bluebell Wood as their charity partner once again for what promises to be another brilliant, fun-filled event.”

For more information and to book your place, go to https://www.bluebellwood.org/Event/mud-madness-2020