Mr and Ms Ovary

2289. Craig McMurrough
2290. Sarah Fritchley (Temple)

Craig and Sarah wanted a way to reach people who might have early symptoms of ovarian cancer, to encourage them to seek medical help, with Sarah being a keen advocate of recognising symptoms of cancer and seeking immediate medical investigation, having lost her mum to a late stage cancer diagnosis. They contacted ‘Ovacome’, who they work closely with, to design the unique outfits that they wear, which display some of the more common signs of ovarian cancer. 

Craig and Sarah, known as ‘Mr and Ms Ovary’, have since completed a range of physical challenges, including marathons and regional mini tours, as well as holding public collections dressed as a pair of ovaries, using their social media to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. 

Craig has recently completed the Tokyo marathon to raise money, and he and Sarah will be participating in a tour covering the East Anglia region over the Summer months. 

The award for Craig and Sarah coincides with Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. 

In a personal letter to Craig, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 

“Since tragically losing your sister Cheryl to ovarian cancer seven years ago, you have been dedicated to raising awareness of the symptoms and encouraging people to seek an early diagnosis.

“I was inspired to hear how you have been joined in your fundraising by Sarah, and how your shared experiences have driven you both to reach even more people affected by ovarian cancer.” 

In a personal letter to Sarah, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: 

“I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother to a late-stage cancer diagnosis, but I was inspired to learn about how you are building a last legacy in her memory through your vital work to raise awareness of the symptoms of Ovarian cancer.

“Together with Craig, as “Mr and Ms Ovary” you have pioneered creative and fun ways to highlight such a serious message in a highly impactful way.”

Congratulating Craig on his award, the Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi, Craig’s local MP for Stratford on Avon, said:

“I’m delighted that my constituent Craig McMurrough has been chosen to receive the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award – a rightly deserved recognition of his outstanding efforts raising money for ‘Ovacome’ in memory of his sister, Cheryl. Cancer touches so many of our lives, and we should give our thanks to people like Craig who are doing whatever they can to help the fight against any and all forms of the disease. I look forward to presenting him with his reward.”

Congratulating Sarah on her award, the Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald, Sarah’s local MP for North East Hertfordshire, said:

“I would like to send my warmest congratulations to my constituent Dr Sarah Fritchley on winning the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award for her magnificent fundraising achievements in support of the ovarian cancer charity, ‘Ovacome.”

Craig and Sarah said:

“We are delighted to be acknowledged in this way for the awareness campaigns we have completed over the last 7 years.  Our mission is to continue in our endeavour to reach as many people as we can, and in doing so highlight the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. We strive to engineer creative and fun ways to expose this serious message in its most impactful manner.”

Find out more about Craig and Sarah’s fundraising and the work of ‘Ovacome’