A group of five people are preparing to run the Virgin London Marathon
2013 to raise as much money as possible for St Elizabeth Hospice.
Among them is Ben Fosdike, who is running the marathon in memory of his brother Royce, who sadly passed away last year.
Ben, 24, of Ipswich, said “The Hospice looked after my brother for his
last 10 days with us, and the care we all received was second to none.
The quality of care and the friendliness of the staff and volunteers
were fantastic, and running the marathon seems a good way of showing
them how much it all meant.”
“This is because the 2013 London Marathon is being held on 21st April,
exactly one year after my brother died aged 25, and it means so much to
me and my family to be running and raising funds on what will be a sad
but special day.”
Chris Coleman was allocated a place in the public ballot, and has chosen
to run in support of St Elizabeth Hospice. In 2007 Chris’s father was
cared for at the Hospice in the last few days of his fight with cancer.
Chris, 22, of Ipswich, said “The support and care both my father and
family received during this difficult time was greatly appreciated. I
would like to make my dad proud by embarking on a challenge which
represents his struggle against cancer and the great efforts to help
people made by St Elizabeth Hospice every single day.”
As part of his preparation for the London Marathon, Chris is running the
Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd March. To support
Chris’s fundraising efforts, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChrisColeman
Karen Skene has taken up the challenge in memory of her mother-in-law
Jenny, who was cared for by the Hospice between 2007 and 2008.
Having been an active Hospice fundraiser for some time, Karen, 45, of
Capel St. Mary, decided to take on a major, once in a lifetime challenge
after her friend’s sister, Susan Dorriety, passed away at the Hospice
in March 2012.
Karen has already been hard at work raising funds, holding a hugely
successful quiz night in December amongst other activities. To support
Karen’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://giving.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/skeneys-london-marathon-2013/
Ginny Hibbert’s father Michael Hibbert received care from the Hospice
over the course of 12 months while suffering with terminal liver cancer.
Ginny, 44 of Manchester, said “Over Christmas 2011, my father became
very ill, and the Hospice provided the most exceptional care for him.
They were able to identify some immediate treatment for him which meant
that his condition and wellbeing improved beyond what we could all have
possibly hoped for.”
Ginny’s fundraising activities have the full support of her family, with
her sister Emma helping with publicity and using collection tins, and
her children have already offered their cake baking and car cleaning
skills!
Both Byron Banthorpe’s grandmother and father have recently been
diagnosed with cancer, with his grandmother receiving treatment at the
Hospice. Byron of Ipswich, is running to raise money for both St
Elizabeth Hospice and Cancer Research UK.
St Elizabeth Hospice Events Fundraiser Emily Sullivan said “The London
Marathon is one of the most high-profile tests of determination and
endurance in the world, and I’m hugely grateful to all our runners for
taking on this massive challenge. They’ve made a brilliant start to
their fundraising and sponsorship efforts, with every penny raised
enabling us to continue growing local hospice care.”
If you received a marathon place in the public ballot and still haven’t
decided which charity to run for, why not choose St Elizabeth Hospice;
our fundraising team will support you every step of the way.
If you would to apply for one of our gold bond places in 2014, please contact the fundraising team at fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk