Story
Kent boxing coach and master Goldsmith, Tony Bellingham, is taking on one of the most physically demanding challenges of his life, the London Marathon.
In February this year, doctors gave me a prognosis of 12 months to live. Undeterred, I secured a place in the 2026 London Marathon and will take part in a specially designed wheelchair, pushed by my son Matthew, an Army physical training instructor.
Today, I live with multiple chronic lung conditions and osteoporosis and rely on supported housing, daily carers, and the support of St Christopher’s Hospice.
“Because of the overwhelming kindness and generosity St Christopher’s has shown me, I thought if I’m going to do the Marathon, I want it to be for a very good reason, and this is one way I can do something to raise money and pay back some of that kindness that I’ve been shown.”
The Marathon will be past my ‘sell by date’. My body will be diminished by then and Matthew will do all the work – for him it isn’t a big deal. But it is going to take a whack out of me. From the rehab and training I do I just want to be in the best shape I can. Four and a half hours is going to be tough. I’m going to be in pain like never before but my god we’re going to do it. And to do it with my son! It’s the entire role reversal of him when he was child and I’d push him in his buggy, and we’d go for miles.
For my son to push me round London for 26.2 miles just for the love, that’s an astonishing thing.”
Anything you can donate to Tony's sponsorship will be hugely appreicated.
St Christopher’s Hospice exists to promote and provide skilled and compassionate palliative care of the highest quality.
Our vision is of a world in which all dying people and those close to them have access to appropriate care and support, when they need it, wherever they need it and whoever they are.
We rely on the generosity of our community, through fundraising campaigns like this, to continue providing our specialist palliative care and familiy care services free of charge.
Thank you for your support.