"That amazing feeling of being able to say I’ve done it and raised as much money as I can for St Christopher’s as my way of giving something back.” - Poppy

Poppy’s father Ricky spent seven and half weeks being cared for at St Christopher’s before he died on 1 March, having been diagnosed with inoperable cancer in October 2022.

“We’d heard of St Christopher’s and been to the charity shops but had never been to the hospice and had no idea what it was really like. Coming from hospital, the difference was amazing. Everyone from reception to the café staff, nurses and volunteers, they were all so lovely. We felt so welcome and at home. My mum stayed over for the last two weeks and I was often there until midnight. It was just a magical place for us to spend the last few weeks with Dad.

“He particularly loved the foot massages, which made him feel relaxed, and the ice creams – he couldn’t get enough of them.”

When Ricky died, aged 62, Poppy and her mother and brother Josh, vowed to raise as much money as they could for St Christopher’s. He was a familiar and popular figure in the community having been the site manager at a local school and the family quickly raised £5,000 for the hospice.

Poppy was determined to do more. She and her mother had been to watch the London Marathon for years – supporting friends and enjoying the atmosphere.

“For ages I’ve said I’d run it one year and I just thought there would never be a better year to do it so I applied, without telling anyone, not really thinking I’d be successful and then when I heard I’d got a place, the reality set in.”

Poppy describes herself as fit-ish. Her dad taught her to play golf and she started going to the gym regularly over the last few months. She’d never really done any running though.

“I’d be out of breath just running for a bus, so it was hard work when I started training in September.

“But I can’t wait to have the medal, put it in a frame on my wall, have that amazing feeling of being able to say I’ve done it and raised as much money as I can for St Christopher’s as my way of giving something back.”

Poppy completed the London Marathon on 21st April 2024. She raised an astounding £9,000 for St Christopher's.