Thank you for clicking on my link to find out a bit more….

Back in Jan 2011, I told my Dad that I had a place in the London marathon - ‘dad, im going to run a marathon’! His reply ( much to my upset) was ‘ you don’t run marathons, thats what your sister does’!

At that moment, i was determined to prove him wrong, so he would be proud of me too for being a runner!

Fast forward some gruelling months of training, in April 2011 - I DID IT - i completed all 26.2 miles AND my dad was there to actually witness me crossing the finish line! I’m not sure who was more proud - me or him!

And now the tough bit…

Back in Aug 2021, our amazing, loving and proud dad became ill ( at 78, he had never been ill!).

Due to the ongoing backlog since Covid, trying to get into see his GP, eventually dad had to undergo various tests, which lead to a cancer diagnosis and the start of Chemotherapy. This was to be followed by massive surgery in March 2022. (Please forgive me for not wanting to be specific with this - it is too hard)

Although tough on dad, he got through this like a true fighter, and we all started to look ahead to living normally again.

This was short lived through the summer, dad continued to have things go on which he just couldn’t shake off.

In late Sept, after more massive life risking surgery, we were all broken to be told there was now no more that could be done and time was going to be short.

That time, was even shorter than we had ever hoped for and we lost dad on 6 Oct 2022 - our hearts remain broken and always will…

Sadly, due to the time we were given and the cards which were dealt, i tried all i could to get dad moved into Keech - to have dignity, and to be comfortable in these final days. This wasn’t to be. I like to think that dad was protecting me and decided where he would be in these last moments, as Keech is my place of work and he wouldn’t have wanted to have me live with this.

Keech is such an amazing place, it is not just my place of work, but a place where you can live those last days, months in comfort and dignity, helped by a specialist team, who always put you first.

Not enough people know just how much Keech can help you, your family, your loved ones.

At the time I just wanted to shout about it and felt so angry that it was me and my family who said to the doctor at the hospital ‘ what about Keech’?! Keech should have been included in those conversations as an option for us…

So, after 12 years of trying to get a ballot place in the London Marathon, i got one!

Having run marathons before, i know ( i hope!) i have it in me… however many years older ;).

This time, my dad won’t be there cheering and willing me on, and this breaks my heart because i know he would have been right there if things were different….

But, he will be on my mind, with me in spirit every one of those 26 miles! I placed 2011 medal and running vest with my dad as he was laid to rest… this is for you again dad.

Please do help me, even just a little if you can, by helping me support Keech Hospice Care to continue to reach out to support those we love.

Even if i can raise just a bit of money, it will go a long way in helping.

If you feel you need the services of Keech, take a look at the website, where you can self refer and arrange to speak with our of our amazing team.

www.keech.org.uk

Thank you for supporting me, even by just reading about why i am running this year.

My dad would have been celebrating his 80th birthday on 30 April 2024, so this is my gift to him… Happy birthday dad xxx

Xxxx