Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My grandmother spent her final years in Nightingale Hammerson homes. She had been married to my grandfather, who had died just a few years earlier, for over 70 years, and it was hard to imagine her living a full life without him. 

Under the care of the Nightingale Hammerson staff, she did indeed enjoy a new chapter in her life, with company and enriching activities to fill her days. Once her health deteriorated, the team was there to care for her and tend to her complex needs. 

When the opportunity arose for me to run the London Marathon 2022 for Nightingale Hammerson, I hesitated momentarily. Running a marathon has been a long-standing ambition of mine and I have attempted it twice before, having to pull out due to injury. I had as good as resigned myself to set that ambition to bed. 

But I quickly set my reservations aside and committed to run for Nightingale Hammerson. Not only is it a charity close to my heart, but in the current economic climate, social care provision, which is so vital to the elderly in our community, needs all the support it can get. 

And who knows, perhaps third time lucky I might make actually it to the starting line...

I have dedicated myself to my training programme and, despite a recent set-back of a calf injury, am determined to get there. 

Homes like Nightingale Hammerson offer a lifeline for people like my late grandmother, to live their final years in a stimulating, caring and social environment, with comfort and dignity.  

I know that these are financially difficult times for everyone, so I am putting this fundraising call out with humility - any small donation will be most appreciated and will make a real difference. Thank you for your generosity and support. 

Dalya 

[Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.]