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Where to begin.....

Why am I running another marathon? Ultimately, I am running this marathon because I can. I am grateful to have legs that work, and the physical capacity to get around 26.2 miles. I have witnessed first hand what happens when cancer robs someone of their physical strength and abilities- and I vow never to take a healthy body for granted ever again. 

Why am I running a marathon in aid of St Vincent’s hospice? Simply, I owe them. I owe them big time for the compassion, professionalism, kindness and expertise they showed my beloved Dad and my family for the 27 days he was in their loving care, until he sadly lost his battle with terminal bowel cancer on 14th November 2018.

The days and weeks leading up to Dad’s admission were dark days. His illness had taken grip and every day was a further descent into Hell watching him deteriorate, knowing we had run out of options. My mum was close to breaking point, and we simply didn’t know where else to turn.

Dad was admitted to St Vincents on Thursday 18th October. From the moment he was admitted into their care, we felt rescued. I had always naively thought a hospice was a place you went to die; but I now know a hospice is a place you go to live. A place where you need not suffer any pain; a place where emotional support is available around the clock for the family; a place where people are loved and supported; a place where the patient’s last breath is made as dignified and comfortable as possible. 

All hospices rely on individual, community and charity support to continue their humbling work. None of us hope to ever need access to one, but what a comfort to know that in the sad event any of us or our families might need help, that this sort of facility exists.

For the 27 days my Dad was under the care of St Vincents, I estimate £10K of charity donations would have been required to fund his care. And it’s my mission to repay these costs as a very small gesture of my family’s gratitude for the salvation they provided us when we needed it most. We are forever endebted to them.

Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for any donations you feel able to make to support this cause. I know from my training for the London marathon that I have a gruelling few months ahead of me; but each donation and message of encouragement makes a massive difference and is like rocket fuel to this 44 year olds legs!

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