Published on: Thursday 25 Feb 2016 at 15:14
This year St Clare Hospice’s five exclusive Gold Bond London Marathon places have been awarded to a team which includes four intrepid runners embarking on their first ever marathon!
On April 24th John Ford, Harry Fishpool, Paul Barker, and Lucinda Rhodes will each be taking on the huge personal challenge of running 26.2 miles for the first time. They will be joined by Giles Arbery, who will be running his fourth marathon, and together will be raising much-needed funds for St Clare!
The fantastic five were selected from a host of applicants who were all vying for a place representing the St Clare team at the world famous marathon through the capital.
Our Challenge and Events Fundraiser, Jade Clarke, said: “This year, like every year, we were heavily oversubscribed for our five Gold Bond places at London. It’s a marathon like no other and the atmosphere is incredible – it’s the one marathon everyone wants to do!”
“The five people we have chosen to represent us each have a special place in their hearts for St Clare and the work we do here for patients and families. Each of their lives has been touched by the care St Clare provides and they will be representing the many hundreds of families who we support every year.”
John Ford, who is running the marathon in memory of his parents who both passed away at St Clare, said that it is the thought of the care his mum and dad received that will spur him on to the finish line.
Asked about what inspired him to take up the monumental challenge of the marathon, John said: “Every single one of the staff and volunteers at St Clare. They are all inspirational. They are the reason why I’m confident I’ll be able to complete the miles. When I first walked through the doors of the hospice, they each made an unspoken deal with me to make my Mum’s life, Dad’s life, and my life, as good as possible until the very end.”
You can read John’s full story on our Your Stories page.
To sponsor John, visit his fundraising page here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=johnford7&faId=659736&isTeam=false
If you have been inspired to take up a challenge for St Clare Hospice you can contact our Challenge Events Fundraiser, Jade Clarke, on 01279 773756 or email jade.clarke@stclarehospice.org.uk