Family’s London Marathon efforts pay tribute to Isabelle Richardson, 20, of Sudbury, known as Izzy, who died from rare cancer

A family is set to run the London Marathon in memory of an ‘incredible’ 20-year-old who died after battling a rare cancer.

Isabelle Richardson, of Sudbury, known as Izzy, was well known with lots of friends after working behind the bar at The Cock Horse Inn in Lavenham and had ambitions to pursue a career in dental hygiene.

Izzy, who had started training as a dental nurse in Hadleigh, died on September 5 just five months after being diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma — a rare bone cancer.

Her mum Sam Richardson, 58, and Izzy’s boyfriend, George Codling, are running the London Marathon in her honour to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Sam said her daughter was a confident and theatrical young woman who cared so much about the people in her life.

“It all just happened so fast,” Sam said. “It’s such an aggressive form of cancer, and it’s just so hard to detect.

“She was so brave, the whole way through. Even when she went to the hospice, she was incredible.

“I know she would be so proud of us for taking on the marathon next week.”

Izzy, who had leukaemia as a toddler, began suffering pain in her left leg in June 2022.

Over the next two years, she visited doctors repeatedly but the pain was attributed to lingering effects of childhood steroid treatment or growing pains.

Despite seeking help from both NHS and private clinics — undergoing MRIs and X-rays — the problem was believed to be with her Achilles tendon. While waiting for surgery, her condition worsened.

By January 2024, Sam said Izzy was pale, increasingly unwell and reliant on hot baths and heat pads to manage constant pain.

Sam demanded further investigation and further blood tests revealed high inflammation levels and although Izzy was prescribed antibiotics, her condition deteriorated.

A trip to A&E led to her admission to West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, where a mass was discovered on her femur. She then spent five weeks on the Orthopaedic Ward awaiting further tests.

By April, she was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. Doctors told her and her family she had less than a year to live — however, Izzy died five months later.

Sam said: “She was very outgoing, very confident and she cared so much about the people in her life — she was such a caring and giving person.

“I told her I got my marathon placement before she passed away, so she knew I was running it. But her boyfriend, George, got his placement the day after she died.

“George was just so amazing to Isabelle. No young man should have to do that for their girlfriend, but he tendered to her so well.

“I know he could complete the marathon a lot quicker than me — but he said he’s going to do it together and stick by my side, for Izzy.”

With the London Marathon on Sunday, April 27, Sam said she is feeling excited and nervous but is determined to cross the finish line as the pair have already raised more than £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The charity holds special meaning for the family as Izzy received care on the C9 Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

During her treatment, the charity helped arrange a visit to Jimmy’s Farm in Ipswich for Izzy and her loved ones — they also sent a card to mark what would have been Izzy’s 21st birthday on April 15, her first birthday since her death.

To donate to Sam’s fund-raising page, click here, or to donate to George’s fund-raising page, click here.

Sam added: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, it really means so much to us.

“I just want to share Isabelle’s story to make people aware of Ewing sarcoma as it’s so hard to detect.

“To those reading, if you know something is wrong, just keep pushing for a diagnosis.”