Five runners took on the Virgin London Marathon 2013 for St Elizabeth Hospice, raising around £12,000 to support the Suffolk charity.
For one of the runners, 24 year-old Ben Fosdike, of Ipswich, the day was particularly poignant. Ben said: “The 2013 London Marathon was held on 21st April, exactly one year after my brother Royce died in the Hospice aged 25. It has meant so much to me and my family to have run in support of the Hospice on such a significant day.”
The other runners were Karen Skene of Capel St. Mary, Byron Banthorpe of Ipswich, Christopher Coleman of Ipswich and Ginny Hibbert of Manchester.
St Elizabeth Hospice’s Community Fundraising Team Leader Rachael Maidment was among Hospice staff and volunteers with the runners’ friends and family in London to support them as they made their way through the gruelling 26.2 mile course.
Rachael said: “I would like to congratulate all of our runners for completing the race, and thank them for choosing to support us. Having completed the race myself last year, I know from first-hand experience what a massive undertaking it is. I would also like to that everybody who has been generous enough to sponsor our runners – every penny raised is used to help us improve life for people living with a progressive illness.”
All the money raised will help St Elizabeth Hospice – which costs £8.7 million a year to run – to help provide services free of charge for people in East Suffolk and South East Norfolk living with a progressive illness and support for their families.
You can still sponsor some of the runners online at www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/giving
If you would like to run next year’s Virgin London Marathon for St Elizabeth Hospice, or take part in one of their once-in-a lifetime challenges, visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk, or contact the fundraising team directly on 01473 723600 or at fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk
Hospice runners and times
Karen Skene – 4.02.10
Byron Banthorpe – 4.22.01
Christopher Coleman – 4.42.06
Ben Fosdike – 4.43.02
Ginny Hibbert – 5.26.14