Mike Barnes

Mike's Running Madness at a ridiculous age !

Fundraising for THE CHRISTIE CHARITY
£8,542
raised of £7,500 target
by 186 supporters
Event: London Marathon 2024, on 21 April 2024
In memory of Laura Stephenson
THE CHRISTIE CHARITY

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1201654
We fund life-changing and life-saving work to support cancer patients at The Christie

Story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

OK so on October 2nd I ran the London Marathon in memory of Laura, my eldest daughter as well as to raise funds for Bowelcanceruk.  Thanks to some amazing people I raised an incredible £7,600 which was absolutely brilliant.  So thank you so much to everyone.  I didn't think it fair to ask again for another event - but I am !   This time it's still in memory of Laura, of course but I'm  raising funds for The Christie Charity,. Although I am still supporting Bowelcanceruk in other ways. 

In 2017 Laura gave birth to twin girls, giving her 4 year old daughter 2 sisters.  Just over twelve months later she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer.  Two years later, on December 28th 2019, at the age of 36,  Laura lost her life to Bowel Cancer.  

For most of her working life Laura had worked as a fund raiser for Cancer charities.  At numerous events she had extolled the virtues of raising funds to fight Cancer. Following on from her diagnosis she continued to work relentlessly towards raising funds as well as speaking to fellow cancer sufferers about having a positive state of mind and support in dealing with the diagnosis. 

From 2018 to almost the last few days in 2019 she kept a blog about how she dealt with the diagnosis as well as her faith and the positivity of her mindset.  This blog can now be found in book form and is available on Amazon, "Nobody Said it Would be Easy" by Laura Stephenson. All proceeds of the book go to BowelcancerUK 

Everyone who met Laura commented upon her ability to talk to people from all backgrounds, ethnicity and generations.  She was an amazing lady. 

If I have half the courage in completing these runs,  that Laura showed in battling Cancer, then I will have no problem at all in undertaking these 20 runs.  Before undertaking the London Marathon last year, my last run of any distance, a half marathon, was a long long long time ago.  I ran it with Laura and she encouraged me all the way round!  This time I'm keeping her in the front of my thoughts and I know she will be watching me and encouraging me yet again  - "Go on Dad you can do it !" 

Whilst at the Christie, a senior consultant said to Laura "We are going to throw everything we have at this, is that ok ?"  So .........

In running to raise funds for the Christie, this is my way of helping these consultants throw everything they have and indeed will have in the future at beating Cancer !

But this time rather than one event it's for at least 20 organised runs starting in January 2023  leading up to the London Marathon in April 2024 !   The runs will either be 10k, Half Marathon or full Marathon.   Total distance will be over 300 miles. 

Thank you so much for giving and helping to hopefully eradicate Bowel Cancer and other cancers

The Christie Charity:- 

Saving Lives; Making Breakthroughs; Holding Hands; Wiping tears; Lifting Spirits; Raising F

About the charity

THE CHRISTIE CHARITY

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1201654
The Christie charity provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. Your support can help us to fund life-changing and potentially life-saving projects that will benefit cancer patients both now and in the future.

Donation summary

Total raised
£8,541.68
+ £822.05 Gift Aid
Online donations
£5,032.68
Offline donations
£3,509.00

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.