Story
7th March 1993 - the day that my world was turned upside down. One minute Dad was complaining about the injustice of a disallowed Robert Lee goal as he watched the highlights of NUFC's 5-1 victory the day before, the next he was dead. A heart attack ended his life far too soon at the age of 45. The man with the ridiculous but infectious laugh, the black and white view of the world and the guiding hand was gone.
My mam, my sister and I have survived. Mam and Shona and our family have been my whole world when the rest of it has fallen apart (on more than one occasion) and, as the years have gone by, we remember Dad with a smile rather than sadness. He was a man who loved me unconditionally and I still miss him every single day and wonder whether he'd be proud.I run in Dad's memory. I run with the incredible strength of my Mam and sister spurring me on.
In 2012 (a year after I'd moved 'down south'), two of my oldest friends, Jacqui and Nic, suggested we run a 5k and it was then that I rediscovered my love of running that had first come to my rescue in 2002 after an eating disorder threatened to break me. I set myself the challenge of running 45 marathons before I reached the age of 45 in memory of my Dad.
In May 2016, I was 40. I ran Edinburgh Marathon with some of my closest friends and I know there were many more thinking of me - those who have encouraged and supported me along the way. That was marathon number 40. The 69 mile ultra, The Wall, finishing on Newcastle's quayside in the shadow of St James' Park, was number 41. Running under Newcastle's bridges to the finish line in 14 hours, 34 minutes and 8 seconds is something I will never ever forget! I loved it!
St Oswald's 53k on 17th September 2016, two days before what should've been Dad's 69th birthday, will be number 45. I'll have run 45 marathons before I'm 40 and a half. To make the challenge more worthwhile, I decided to raise some vital funds for the British Heart Foundation. If I can help just one wife or husband avoid the pain that my Mam still feels or one child get one more hug or word of advice from that special person in their life, then all the miles will be more than worth it. I would be very grateful for any sponsorship you feel you could spare. Thank you xx
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.
My mam, my sister and I have survived. Mam and Shona and our family have been my whole world when the rest of it has fallen apart (on more than one occasion) and, as the years have gone by, we remember Dad with a smile rather than sadness. He was a man who loved me unconditionally and I still miss him every single day and wonder whether he'd be proud.I run in Dad's memory. I run with the incredible strength of my Mam and sister spurring me on.
In 2012 (a year after I'd moved 'down south'), two of my oldest friends, Jacqui and Nic, suggested we run a 5k and it was then that I rediscovered my love of running that had first come to my rescue in 2002 after an eating disorder threatened to break me. I set myself the challenge of running 45 marathons before I reached the age of 45 in memory of my Dad.
In May 2016, I was 40. I ran Edinburgh Marathon with some of my closest friends and I know there were many more thinking of me - those who have encouraged and supported me along the way. That was marathon number 40. The 69 mile ultra, The Wall, finishing on Newcastle's quayside in the shadow of St James' Park, was number 41. Running under Newcastle's bridges to the finish line in 14 hours, 34 minutes and 8 seconds is something I will never ever forget! I loved it!
St Oswald's 53k on 17th September 2016, two days before what should've been Dad's 69th birthday, will be number 45. I'll have run 45 marathons before I'm 40 and a half. To make the challenge more worthwhile, I decided to raise some vital funds for the British Heart Foundation. If I can help just one wife or husband avoid the pain that my Mam still feels or one child get one more hug or word of advice from that special person in their life, then all the miles will be more than worth it. I would be very grateful for any sponsorship you feel you could spare. Thank you xx
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.