Running for Pip

As many of you will know, earlier this year we sadly lost my dad, Pip Shaw.

It was, without doubt, the hardest thing our family has ever been through. During that time, we experienced first-hand not only the incredible care provided by the NHS, but also learnt about some amazing charities that do so much to support both patients and their families during incredibly difficult circumstances.

One of those charities was Take Heart, which supports the Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary. They help make an incredibly difficult time a little easier for patients and their families, funding things such as free accommodation for relatives who need to stay close to loved ones, comfortable family waiting rooms on site, relaxing roof gardens, phone and internet services, and improvements to areas where patients and families can spend time away from the wards.

Having seen the difference this kind of support can make, we wanted to do something to give back and help Take Heart continue the fantastic service they provide.

So, over the coming months, I’ll be taking on a number of challenges to raise money for them.

The main challenge will be the Yorkshire Marathon in October, which I’ll be running alongside my cousins — and Pip’s nephews — Paddy, Will and Tom.

I’ll also be taking on other challenges, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with friends and family over the coming months and year.

It’s going to be a tough few months of training and challenges, but having something positive to focus on and being able to raise money in Pip’s memory makes it all worthwhile.

I’ll be training the whole time knowing my dad would be constantly letting me know how he’d be doing it quicker than me… wouldn’t have it any other way.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, would mean a huge amount to us and will help Take Heart continue supporting patients and families going through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Thank you