Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

5 years after the death of my dear mum, Elizabeth Dawson-Bowling/de la Porte, I am running my 5th half marathon. I haven't done fundraising for the previous ones but 5 halves and Mum's 5th anniversary feel a nice opportunity to honour my wonderful, supportive mum, who shaped so much of who I am, and to raise money for renal care charity Kidney Care UK, who provide practical, emotional and financial support to kidney patients and their families. (Mum had three months on the renal ward in Canterbury. And also doubly as my dad is also suffering renal failure.)

In case it sounds like I'm an old hand and it's 'just another half', if you'd told my pre-COVID self I'd be doing these I would not have believed you!! And each time I run one, it feels an epic undertaking (including the training in the lead-up) and it's a new test of physical and mental endurance, and learning. (I know there'll be a point around mile 8 when there are 5 miles to go when I seriously question my choices! But I will be so glad to have done it – smily photo of me below is taken *after* the last one – to have supported Kidney Care UK and to have honoured Mum.)

Running was also so therapeutic around Mum's death and when COVID made things so hard. As I wrote when she died:

'I couldn't visit Mum in hospital because of CV-19 rules but they did allow my dad in for her last hours (along with the very kind hospital chaplain) and she died peacefully. While I waited at the hospital, rather than fretting around I went for a run. A glorious spring day. There, as well as outside the hospital and on a later walk, I encountered the most beautiful colours in nature that Mum would have and maybe (somewhere 'up on her cloud' as she would say) did love(d).'

So whether you knew Mum or want to support a good cause (and indeed provide me with a bit of encouragement), I'd be delighted and grateful for any donations and supportive comments!

Thank you so much! L xxxxxx

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