Remember me
A widower who lost the love of his life and the mother of his two children to breast cancer has revealed the unusual way he and those who miss her honour her memory.
'It's what she would have wanted', smiles Mark Rackham, as he tells us about his plans for a 500-capacity memorial rave, 'she was dancing to the end. We planned the first event when she was still with us and she told me to promise to continue it for her.
When Mark's wife Sarah passed away in June 2024, at the age of just 46, the pub landlord was 'bereft.'
'Towards the end we knew it was coming, so did Sarah', he says, 'but nothing can prepare you for the end.'
Kate, who was diagnosed with incurable oestrogen-receptive breast cancer at the age of 39, lived with the disease for seven years and became a prominent breast cancer campaigner while she underwent treatment.
During her illness, Sarah had shared inspiring updates with her followers and helped to set up the Fighting to be Heard charity to raise awareness about incurable cancers.
The teacher from Morecambe, Lancashire, even announced her own death to social media after a seven-year battle with the disease, in a message viewed 1.8billion times on X, writing: 'If you're reading this, I have died.'
'But do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to.
When Sarah Rackham, 46, passed away in 2024 - her husband Mark was bereft - now he hosts a rave in her honour
Kate is survived by her husband Mark and her two children, Nancy, 12, and Ruby, 14
In her final post she wrote 'If you're reading this, I have died but do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to'
Since 2024, Mark has organised a club night named ' Listen Up' in honour of Sarah and all others who have lost their lives to breast cancer
'I joined X because I needed an outlet, what I got was so much more. You made me feel validated in my feelings and much less alone. Thank you.'
Kate was first diagnosed with stage 3 oestrogen-receptive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2016 and underwent surgery to remove a 6.5cm tumour from her left breast.
However, subsequent tests showed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and 'I had every treatment thrown at me,' she says — this meant a mastectomy, removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 'which was gruelling, like having the worst hangover and flu simultaneously'.
But soon after Kate's cancer came back, recurring in her bones and liver.
She previously told the BBC her diagnosis came as a 'massive shock' and spoke of her 'massive' struggles with hair loss while going through chemotherapy.
'It's really hard losing your hair. It's not just losing your hair, it's losing your eyelashes and eyebrows as well,' she told BBC Radio 5 Live.
'That's the difference between looking like you are rocking a bald head and looking like you are on chemotherapy.'
Sarah left behind Mark and her two children, Nancy, 12, and Ruby, 14, but Mark has ensured that his wife has another legacy too.
Since 2024, Mark has organised a club night named 'Listen Up' in honour of Sarah and all others who have lost their lives to breast cancer at Area, Manchester.
The event, which traditionally sells out, has the complete support of the local community and features DJ sets from Craig Charles, Manchester legend Dave Haslam and the Inspiral Carpets’ Clint Boon.
Mark explained: 'Everyone involved knew Kate, and they have all donated their time so that 100 per cent of the ticket revenue will go to the charity which helps patients and their families with hardship grants.
'Many cancer sufferers are often forced to give up work so anything we can do to raise awareness and improve the support offered to these brave people is vital.'
Last November, Mark and his team at his Urmston pub, the Barking Dog, carried out a secret surveillance mission to unmask the James Bond-style Apple Watch tactics used by a pub quiz cheating trio
Since losing Kate, Mark has tried to keep himself busy for the sake of his own mental health and the welfare of his girls.
Last November, Mark and his team at his Urmston pub, the Barking Dog, carried out a secret surveillance mission to unmask the James Bond-style Apple Watch tactics used by a pub quiz cheating trio.
The sting made national news and resulted in his team being invited to police a media quiz attended by the Daily Mail.
The pub staff made clear that the smartwatch-toting team were welcome as drinking punters yet were barred from taking part in the weekly quiz.
The pub has featured in the Good Pub Guide for the last five years running.
If you would like to find out more about the event, click here.
For more information on Fighting to be Heard, click here.
Comments (0)