Our News

London marathon round up

14 April 2008

Sunday saw more than 34,000 people complete the Flora London Marathon.  Thirty one runners stepped up to the challenge for Sue Ryder Care, read our report from the day.

At the end of the race the Sue Ryder Care cheering squad who had been supporting the team on the sidelines, were there to greet all 30 of the Sue Ryder Care runners with a congratulatory drink. Our first runner to complete the challenge, in just 2:58:15 was Chris McCormick who celebrated his acivement friends and family, including his son Joshua who celebrated his 8th birthday on the day.

Physios were on hand to sooth away the post race aches and pains. Whilst receiving her physio, Scarbrough runner Karen Messenger commented:

"The Sue Ryder Care running team were cracking! I’ve had lots of encouragement and phone calls, and help with writing letters.  All the information I was given on training and fundraising has been absolutely brilliant."

Running in memory

Chris Gorse
Chris Gorse ran the marathon in memory of his beloved wife Ruth, who was cared for at Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields hospice.
"Ruth died at the age of 35 on the 22 of April, the day of the 2007 London Marathon, hence my reason for running the marathon this year. 
The challenge and the training have been a huge help in getting through the last year.  It has given me a purpose. I am aware that the hospice has to raise 2 million to keep on running and providing its excellent services for the local community. To do so they rely on the generosity of the local citizens."

David Jones
David decided to run the London marathon in memory of her aunty who passed away last November and was cared for at St John’s hospice. He raised £8,000 thanks to the support of friends and family.

Chris Twiselton
"I ran today’s race in memory of my dear friend Norman Lamb who lost his fight against cancer in December last year.  Norman was cared for at Sue Ryder Care – Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, and whislt he was there he told me how well he was being looked after.  He said the doctors and nurses were simply wonderful.  I contacted Sue Ryder Care the day after we lost Norman to set up a donation, and happened to mention running.  I was told there were places available in the London Marathon, and so it started from there."

Chris McCormick
Chris' father, Anthony McCormick, died in 1993 when he lost his battle against brain tumour. He was cared for at St John’s hospice in the last two weeks of his life.
"I was very pleased with the care that my dad received. Staff were excellent, very considerate and supportive. They did everything possible to make him feel comfortable. I wanted to do something to say thank you for all their support and running is definitely something I can do. I really enjoy it and the London marathon was the perfect challenge for me".

New York, New York - setting sights on more marathons for Sue Ryder Care

Karen Messenger, Chris Twiselton and David Jones are just three of the Sue Ryder Care who will 'start spreadin' the news', helping us to help more, as they prepare to take part in the New York marathon.

Commenting on stepping up to the next challenge, Chris Twiselton said:

"Now that I’ve got the running bug I want to run a marathon for Sue Ryder Care every year. From London to New York."

David Jones added: "I really enjoyed it, it was fantastic and it was great to hear everyone cheering. I felt really supported by friends and family. I liked it so much that I am already getting ready for the New York marathon"

Raising vital funds
Laura Savory, Running and Events Coordinator at Sue Ryder Care said:  "he Flora London Marathon is a huge event for Sue Ryder Care and I would like to thank each of our runners for taking on and completing this challenge.  Each runner has worked hard training and fundraising and we hope to have raised up to £60,000.  This is fantastic news and will help us help more people living with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke and Cancer.  Well done to all the Sue Ryder Care runners!”

Jacqui Marris who is a Sue Ryder Care shop manager in Portsmouth said:
" have been working as a shop manager in Drayton for three years and know what the money that the charity raises through it’s shops and events has an incredible impact on people' lives. Just £50 could provide physiotherapy to someone with Parkinson’s disease, helping them feel more comfortable. £250 could pay for bereavement sessions for twelve people after a loved one has died, supporting them in coping with their loss."

It’s not too late to support our runners.  Please visit their online fundraising pages at www.justgiving.com/  followed by their name.

Are you up for the challenge?
Contact our lovely running team to find out how you can join our Sue Ryder Care team. Laura.savory@suerydercare.org

 

< Back