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UPDATE: I completed the run in 02:19 which I'm happy about for a first attempt at the distance, it was a great experience with the crowds cheering everyone along the route. THANK YOU to everyone that has donated throughout me fundraising it means a lot to me and the charity.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page for running the Great Eastern Run 2026 half marathon!
Earlier this year my 5yr old Son Arthur ran the London Mini Marathon in an amazing time due to his fitness and determination to finish without stopping. I ran alongside him and it was a great experience running past Buckingham Palace and across the Official marathon finish line on The Mall, a memory I'll have to enjoy for the rest of my life.
The crowds and general atmosphere were amazing too which got me thinking that I also needed a challenge in life and to push myself as much as Arthur did as he was really inspirational to me and even better if I can raise some money for charity at the same time.
EACH came to my attention a few years ago and when my Wife Katie worked for a Special Needs school where I heard about how the amazing staff at EACH helped support some of the children and their families Katie knew, whether that be through medical support, physiotherapy or mental health support for families in some of the toughest days that parents don't even want to start to imagine, but I think most importantly helping families to create memories with their children through different activities or events which is what hit home for me becoming a Dad and having the opportunity to create memories with my children and family as a whole and what we all can take for granted.
Katie now works for EACH so I hear and see even more of what they do for children and families. It really is a special charity!
So if I can raise enough money to even just help one family have an experience they wish for to create the same kind of ever lasting emotional memories, like one of mine with Arthur then I'll be really pleased to have put myself through the challenge of The Great Eastern Run 2026 in Peterborough, a half marathon, when the most I've ever ran is 5k! It will be on 11th October so wish me luck, I've not got that much time to train but the more donations the more of a push I'll have!
East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) care for children & young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambs, Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk and support their families. This can be at home, in hospital or at one of three hospices at Milton, The Treehouse and The Nook. They rely on voluntary donations for the majority of their income.
Please if you can donate even a small amount it would be really appreciated by myself and you too would be helping a family or two.
So skip a coffee one morning, an ice cream down the river or a friday night takeaway, donate an hour's overtime you've worked or just the loose change in your car, anything at all you can donate will make a huge difference!
Thank you!
Ross x
P.S Check out their website for more information and events happening that you can even get involved in yourself whether that be fundraising or volunteering!