Human Interest 2010 - Virgin London Marathon
Human Interest 2010 - Virgin London Marathon
Human Interest 2010 - Virgin London Marathon
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Name Region R No. Story Charity<br />
Kelly<br />
Wilson<br />
Royston,<br />
Cambridge<br />
33696<br />
Kelly was inspired to run after the death of her Great-<br />
Grandfather, who lived with her family since Kelly was 16. She<br />
said the experience opened her eyes to the fact that many older<br />
people do not receive the support they need at the end of their<br />
lives. Kelly has also been on a mission to loose weight and has<br />
last five stone since her graduation, so this is a huge<br />
achievement.<br />
Age Concern<br />
Tom<br />
Harrison<br />
Reading 29443<br />
Tom has run the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> for Age Concern and Help the<br />
Aged for the past five years and says helping improve the lives of<br />
older people keeps him motivated. Tom takes part in a range of<br />
running events, and says the rush of endorphins keeps him<br />
invigorated and happy. He also holds the title of ‘World Bog<br />
Snorkeling Pensioner Triathlon Champion.’<br />
Age Concern<br />
Reece<br />
Howe<br />
Southwark,<br />
<strong>London</strong><br />
19455<br />
Reece has recently founded a personalized home-help service<br />
after the death of his grandmother in a nursing home. Reece<br />
plans to run the <strong>Marathon</strong> barefoot.<br />
Age Concern<br />
Andy<br />
Keen<br />
Nottingham 33666<br />
Andy is celebrating his 40th birthday by raising £5,000 for<br />
charity. As well as the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>, he’s planning on taking<br />
part in the Great North Run, a sky-dive, a skiing event, a cycle<br />
challenge and a fire-walk for Age Concern and Help the Aged.<br />
Age Concern
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
John<br />
Starbrook<br />
Surrey<br />
John has raised money for Age Concern for several years. This is<br />
John’s 24th <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>.<br />
Age Concern<br />
Paul<br />
French<br />
Andover, Hants 29290<br />
Having completed more than 35 years in the Army and served in<br />
such places as Borneo, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany<br />
and Hong Kong, Paul is delighted now to run the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong><br />
<strong>Marathon</strong> for the Army Benevolent Fund. This will be Paul's 16th<br />
marathon but making this even more special is that Paul will be<br />
celebrating his 72nd birthday one week before running and his<br />
Golden Wedding Anniversary in the same month. Paul will this<br />
year be running with his two grandsons, James 23 and Tom, 21.<br />
As a team they will be running together for the ABF.<br />
Army Benevolent<br />
Fund<br />
Jill<br />
Hamer<br />
<strong>London</strong>, SW13<br />
Jill, 70, has run the marathon every 10 years for Asthma UK; at<br />
the age of 50, 60 and now 70. She hope to continue raising<br />
money and awareness and for the fun. Jill is also a suffer of<br />
asthma and so is keen to continue your support.<br />
Asthma UK<br />
Caroline<br />
Witkowski<br />
Erith, Kent 34514<br />
Caroline, 27 has decided to run the marathon for Asthma UK in<br />
memory of her mother who died when she was 19 from an<br />
asthma attack and her brother who died a few years later with<br />
compounded by his asthma. She would like to highlight the<br />
seriousness of asthma and that is can be a killer and hopes to<br />
raise awareness around the condition.<br />
Asthma UK
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Hugh<br />
Skilling<br />
Havant,<br />
Hampshire<br />
34454<br />
Hugh, 30's, niece Charlotte on the day of the 2009 <strong>London</strong><br />
<strong>Marathon</strong> after having an asthma attack and collapsing. She<br />
suffered with asthma all her life and was only 15 years old. Hugh<br />
is running the marathon for Charlotte this year, to raise as much<br />
money as he physically can. Hugh hopes to raise £5,000.<br />
Asthma UK<br />
Heleneia<br />
Brierley<br />
Surrey 35017<br />
Heleneia is running the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> at the age of 70.<br />
Heleneia is recovering from Bowel Cancer. Heleneia hopes to<br />
complete the marathon over a six day period. Heleneia is fully<br />
prepared for the mental challenge that she will face whilst<br />
completing her journey. She will travel home each day starting<br />
each day at the point she left the previous day raising money and<br />
awareness for Bowel Cancer.<br />
Bowel Cancer<br />
Corina<br />
Hawkins<br />
Bristol 35099<br />
Corina's family has been hit by numerous neurological<br />
conditions. Corina's Nana has dementia, her Aunt has<br />
Parkinson's disease, her Uncle has Motor Neurone's disease, her<br />
close friend Nicki's Mum has MS and another close friend died<br />
from a brain tumour last year. Corina obviously couldn't run for<br />
each condition but it seemed right to me to run for a charity that<br />
represented each illness and was putting money in to research.<br />
So chose the Brain Research Trust.<br />
Corina has run a few half marathons and used to be an avid<br />
hockey player. She have decided to start training for triathlons<br />
next year and cease the running. always wanted to run the<br />
<strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> and this year it felt right. Corina has the<br />
motivation to do it as she knows she is running for a very<br />
worthwhile cause.<br />
Brain Research Trust
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Carl<br />
Day<br />
Suffolk 35533<br />
I am participating in this years event in the hope to raise a<br />
substantial amount of sponsorship for the BHF, by means of<br />
completing the marathon in a full suit of medieval armour<br />
(weighing approx 6 stone) and anticipate this to take between 12<br />
- 14 hours to complete. My motivation for this is my 15 year old<br />
daughter (16 in April) was born with heart disease and following<br />
the expertise of the Royal Brompton and the support the BHF<br />
she has surpassed everyone's expectations. I have raised various<br />
amounts of sponsorships for BHF over the years, including<br />
Canary wharf run, Trans lakes challenges and assault courses, but<br />
this is by far the hardest yet.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Four<br />
Brothers -<br />
The<br />
Cameron<br />
Family<br />
Devon,<br />
Sommerset,<br />
Norfolk and<br />
<strong>London</strong><br />
Their motivation to run the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> is driven by the<br />
memory of their father, Alastair Cameron who was and remains<br />
a huge inspiration. Survived by our irreplaceable Mum, Elizabeth,<br />
he is sorely missed but never forgotten.<br />
Alastair, was a hugely respected surgeon at the Norfolk &<br />
Norwich, and West Norwich Hospitals where he was known, not<br />
only for his medical skills, but also his great compassion. At the<br />
early age of 48 he suffered the first of a series of heart attacks<br />
leading to major bypass surgery at Papworth hospital. After<br />
returning to work for seven years his health deteriorated and he<br />
was forced to retire. A further emergency bypass followed after<br />
a second series of heart attacks where we were told to expect<br />
the worst. Somehow however, with the help of pioneering<br />
surgery and advances in coronary care, he pulled through and<br />
survived happily to the previously unimaginable age of 70. In<br />
2004 he died peacefully at home with his loving wife.<br />
When this series of events began the brothers were children at<br />
primary school; the twin youngest boys, Hamish and Dougal<br />
being only 5 years old. When eventually he died in 2004 he was a<br />
Grandfather to Duncan’s children. We all feel extremely lucky to<br />
have been given the chance to grow up as such close friends to<br />
our two amazing parents.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation<br />
Rachel<br />
Wylde<br />
Derbyshire 35483<br />
Her daughter Molly, seven, was born with supravalvular<br />
pulmonary stenosis. Drs picked up a murmur soon after she was<br />
born and after further tests they diagnosed her. She had an<br />
operation where a balloon catheter was fitted when she was 10<br />
months old. She is a normal healthy child at the moment but<br />
may require further surgery when she is older.<br />
Molly and Rachel, 36, have helped with PR for NHM 2009 and<br />
the White Peak Challenge.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
James<br />
Bruton<br />
Worcestershire 35488<br />
James Bruton – will be 18 on day of race<br />
James is running in memory of his Grandfather.<br />
His justgiving page:<br />
http://www.justgiving.com/james-bruton<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation<br />
Katie<br />
McCandless<br />
Straffordshire 35397<br />
Katie’s (36) mum died of a heart attack when she was 48 – Katie<br />
was just 21 at the time. Two weeks later her dad had a heart<br />
attack - fortunately he survived and was fitted with a pacemaker.<br />
Katie, who has two children, was recently told she was<br />
overweight by her Dr which was a real wake up call. She has<br />
started road running to lose weight.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation<br />
Zoe<br />
O'Shea<br />
Middlesex 35491<br />
Zoe, 39, in 2007 she decided it was time to change her life. She<br />
was classed as clinically obese and at only 36 was getting out of<br />
breath walking up the stairs. Zoe joined weight watchers and in a<br />
7 month period lost 4 stone and went down 5 dresses sizes. As<br />
part of this she took up running and over a 12 month period she<br />
has gone from managing to run 1 mile continuously to achieving<br />
her first ever half marathon in under 2 hours. Zoe is now a<br />
weight watchers leader.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Paul<br />
Woolley<br />
Merseyside 52297<br />
Both Paul, 38, and his son have undergone life saving heart<br />
surgery at alder hey hospital Liverpool and CTC Liverpool. Paul<br />
was born with a hole in his heart. They fixed it and at 15 he had<br />
another op to have a human valve fitted. His son Tom was born<br />
in 1995. When Paul had a check up he took Tom in with him and<br />
Drs took one look at his son and whisked him off to have a shunt<br />
fitted. Tom was diagnosed with tetralogy of fallots.<br />
In April 2002 Paul had heart failure and had to get a new valve<br />
fitted. Days later Tom had to have his major operation. Both are<br />
doing fine now and Tom is now 14.<br />
His mum had a heart attack in Jan <strong>2010</strong> but is doing okay.<br />
Paul had never run before last year. He has lost a couple of stone<br />
since taking it up.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation<br />
Peter<br />
Bates<br />
Rotherham 35487<br />
Peter, 56, has been a runner and walker all his life – he played<br />
football until he was 50, used to be a club athlete and is a<br />
member of a walking club. Three years ago he started to feel<br />
uncomfortable while walking in the lake district. He went to get<br />
checked out and had an angiogram. He needed a triple heart<br />
bypass. After the operation he had cardiac rehab and signed up<br />
to BHF Heart Matters. Peter got back into exercising as soon as<br />
he could and within 6 months of operation he had done the<br />
Yorkshire three peaks. His oldest son ran the marathon last year<br />
and he is running with his younger son this year.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation<br />
Lee<br />
Reginald<br />
Gloucestershire<br />
Runs Sherlock Holmes society in Cheltenham. Has high blood<br />
pressure and cholesterol – his dad had four heart attacks. Will<br />
walk dressed as Sherlock Holmes.<br />
British Heart<br />
Foundation
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Mark<br />
Harris<br />
Leeds 31717<br />
Mark Harris is an extraordinary man who in 1989, after a failed<br />
operation was given only three months to live with a rare form<br />
of thyroid cancer. Following another operation Mark was left<br />
with some lasting damaging effect to his breathing and speech.<br />
In 1990 Mark was determined to run the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> and<br />
with the help of a doctor, nurse, personal trainer and good friend<br />
he completed it in a tiring six hours and six minutes and was very<br />
Cancer treatment and<br />
proud of his efforts as he raised over £100,000 which went to<br />
care in Yorkshire<br />
establish the first regional head and neck cancer service in<br />
Yorkshire. To mark Mark's 20th anniversary from when he ran<br />
his last marathon in 1991 and marking his 21st anniversary for<br />
when he was told he would only have three months to live he<br />
has decided to run this year with the same team plus his son Joe<br />
raising he hopes over £100,000 for cancer treatment and care in<br />
Yorkshire.
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Steven<br />
Waterston<br />
19934<br />
Steven Watson is a serving soldier in the British Army and has<br />
been for 17 and a half years. Steven has already travelled an<br />
amazing distance just to get to the start line. This will not be<br />
Steven's first <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>, he completed both <strong>London</strong> and<br />
Edinburgh marathons in 2008. Prior to these races, Steven<br />
suffered a brain haemorrhage in the year 2003 and was operated<br />
on. Steven then went on to be diagnosed with meningitis, had a<br />
third reconstruction on his ankle as well as suffering with Deep<br />
Vein Thrombosis. In August 2008, Steven suffered another<br />
haemorrhage and was admitted to hospital. After further<br />
investigations, Steven met Mr Rick Nelson a surgeon at Frenchay<br />
Hospital in Bristol where he was later admitted and went under<br />
further surgery. Steven was in hospital for almost seven weeks<br />
and was unable to feed himself, paralysed down the side of his<br />
body and lost a large part of his vision. He was later transferred<br />
to Astley Ainslie Hospital where he began a rehabilitation<br />
process. He has now begun training for the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong><br />
<strong>Marathon</strong> and is keen to raise funds, awareness and those<br />
charities he is raising money for.<br />
Charles Bell ward at<br />
the Astley Ainslie<br />
hospital in Edinburgh<br />
and Mark Wright<br />
House Edinburgh
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Peter<br />
Ford<br />
Somerset,<br />
Devon, Norfolk<br />
and <strong>London</strong><br />
37185<br />
On December 4th, 2007 Peter Ford’s wife Suzie, was diagnosed<br />
with leukaemia - she was 21 weeks pregnant. Against all medical<br />
advice, she continued with the pregnancy whilst having<br />
chemotherapy and their child, Joseph, was born successfully at<br />
34 weeks. Suzie then endured months of treatment including 7<br />
months in isolation with visits from her new born son. The<br />
couple married in hospital and Suzie successfully completed her<br />
treatment and their family life could begin. But in a cruel twist,<br />
in January 2009 Suzie relapsed and had to endure months of<br />
chemo, radiotherapy and a transplant, as well as other<br />
complications. Joseph turned two on the 1 March <strong>2010</strong> and<br />
Suzie can now start to rebuild her life and has the best joy of<br />
being the mum she worked and risked her life trying to become.<br />
Peter will be attempting his first marathon this year for<br />
CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia<br />
Mandy<br />
Valentine<br />
Speke, Liverpool 37331<br />
Mandy Valentine’s world was shattered when, in 2006, her three<br />
year old son Nathan lost his fight with leukaemia. Mandy had<br />
lost her precious boy and felt like she had no control over her<br />
life, so took matters into her own hands and started losing<br />
weight. She was also aware that daughter Jess was old enough to<br />
know that her mum’s weight could affect her health and after<br />
losing her brother, Mandy didn’t want her to worry about losing<br />
her mum too. Two years on and Mandy has lost a staggering 8<br />
stone and is attempting her first marathon with friend Paula<br />
Pocock. They hope to raise in the region of £2,000 for CHILDREN<br />
with LEUKAEMIA.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
After 3 years, 3 months and 3 days, Toby Whitesman’s son<br />
Joshua completed his treatment for leukaemia in November last<br />
year. But Joshua still has a long battle ahead of him, due to the<br />
side effects of the drugs he received. After a difficult diagnosis<br />
and one that left a week longer would have been fatal, Joshua,<br />
aged just 18 months proceeded to lose 17lbs of weight in just 3<br />
weeks – too weak to even hold his head up. Joshua was fed by a<br />
tube for over a year at a crucial time in his weaning and now<br />
Toby<br />
Whitesman Ashford, Kent 37110 struggles to eat normally. His complications don’t end there, as<br />
Joshua is also having intensive physiotherapy as one of the<br />
chemo drugs he took shrunk his Achilles tendon and he can only<br />
walk comfortably on his tiptoes. Joshua and his family live an 8<br />
minute walk to school and they have been told he must walk the<br />
whole distance, but this often means he is sobbing with pain and<br />
exhaustion. Toby hopes to raise money and awareness of<br />
childhood leukaemia by completing the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong><br />
for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Michelle<br />
Mearns<br />
Orpington, Kent 36975<br />
Michelle Mearns remembers the exact words the consultant<br />
used to tell them their precious daughter had a very rare form of<br />
leukaemia, “I’m really sorry to tell you this on a Friday, but your<br />
daughter has leukaemia”…. on a Friday! Why, would it be any<br />
different if she had been told on a Monday or Wednesday?! The<br />
Mearns family were due to fly to South Africa, but 10 month old<br />
Jemma couldn’t shift a cold and had developed a rash. As a<br />
precaution, mum Michelle took her to the doctors, who sent<br />
them to the local hospital. Jemma was given a 50/50 chance.<br />
Originally from South Africa, Michelle and her husband Robert<br />
had no support in the UK and each day Robert would drop off<br />
Jemma’s 2 year old sister at the hospital before going to work. A<br />
tough time for the whole family, but six years on and Jemma has<br />
responded well to treatment, is thriving and enjoying life.<br />
Michelle, 39 from Kent, will attempt her first marathon for<br />
CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA this year.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Samantha<br />
Cowpe<br />
Fareham,<br />
Hampshire<br />
37234<br />
To have your child diagnosed with leukaemia is devastating for<br />
any parent, but Samantha Cowpe lives with the possibility her<br />
other son could also be diagnosed with the disease at any time.<br />
When Sam’s son Tomas was diagnosed with leukaemia her world<br />
fell apart, but just weeks after later she was told that Tomas’s<br />
identical brother Daniel also have pre-leukaemia cells and could<br />
develop the disease at any time. The Cowpes have agreed to<br />
take part in a study, led by leading expert Dr Mel Greaves and<br />
their story featured in The Mirror on December 2009. Sam, 44<br />
from Hampshire, hopes to complete her first full marathon in<br />
April and raise £2000 for CHILDREN with LEUAKEMIA for more<br />
research into childhood leukaemia.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia<br />
Nicola<br />
Forster<br />
Waltham Cross,<br />
Hertfordshire<br />
36982<br />
The last time we saw Nicola Forster run a marathon, it was after<br />
being crowned Rosemary Conley’s Slimmer of the Year 2007,<br />
after losing 10 stone. Three years on, Nicola is back, after the<br />
birth her third child in February 2009 – has she lost the 5 stone<br />
she put on with her pregnancy? The answer is yes and the mum<br />
of three from Herts is looking forward to completing her second<br />
marathon for CHILDREN with LEUKAEIA.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Paul<br />
Cox<br />
Poole, Dorset 37002<br />
In 2005 Paul Cox’s daughter, Cherri, was diagnosed with<br />
leukaemia, weeks before her third birthday. Paul and his wife<br />
had to give up work in an attempt to cope with the endless<br />
hospital stays and grueling treatments their daughter had on a<br />
regular basis. Whilst Cherri responded well to the treatment,<br />
the effects of the drugs used to treat her have had a lasting<br />
effect on the 7 year old, who now has to wear glasses, has insteps<br />
in her shoes and is hard of hearing. Paul is keen to raise<br />
awareness of the lasting effects leukaemia can have on a child<br />
and hopes to raise around £2000 for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia<br />
Jon<br />
Bracegirdle<br />
Astley,<br />
Manchester<br />
37277<br />
Jon Bracegirdle will run his first marathon this year. He chose to<br />
run for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA as his wife was diagnosed<br />
with leukaemia when she was pregnant with their third child.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia<br />
Glenn<br />
Tarry<br />
Barton Green,<br />
Nottingham<br />
36796<br />
When Glenn Tarry decided to run the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> it<br />
was his brother Paul who chose CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA as<br />
his charity, as Paul’s best friend had lost his brother to leukaemia<br />
and he had seen first hand the effect it had on the whole family.<br />
But in a cruel twist of fate, just weeks after Glenn was awarded<br />
his place in this year’s race and leading up to Christmas, Paul was<br />
killed in a car accident. Glenn, a 31 year old driving instructor<br />
from Nottingham, is more committed than ever to complete the<br />
race in memory of his brother and to fulfill his brother’s wishes.<br />
This will be Glenn’s first marathon and he hopes to raise over<br />
£1500 for CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Jochen<br />
Heck<br />
West <strong>London</strong> 36878<br />
Jochen ran his first <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> in 2008. After I had a<br />
terrible time throughout the race despite a relatively good<br />
preparation, he went to see a doctor. Within a week, he was<br />
diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukaemia and he was given a 40%<br />
chance of survival. Over the following six months, he spent 100<br />
days in isolation in the hospital receiving several courses of<br />
aggressive chemotherapy.<br />
In December 2008, the doctors allowed me to resume running.<br />
Jochen ran/walked my first mile after his treatment in 13min. He<br />
then signed up for the 2009 <strong>London</strong> marathon raising money for<br />
Leukaemia Care, one of the leading Leukaemia Charities in the<br />
UK. He ended up raising over 10,000 pounds for them. Jochen<br />
ended up successfully completing the 2009 <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong><br />
and even beat his 2008 time by 43 seconds.<br />
Therefore, the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> will always have a very special<br />
significance in his life and he would love to participate in the<br />
<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>.<br />
Children with<br />
Leukaemia<br />
Louise<br />
Miles<br />
Penrith,<br />
Cumbria<br />
37910<br />
Mother of Katy Miles who was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour<br />
that spread to her lungs and was helped by CLIC Sargent. Katy<br />
won an award at the Pride of Britain awards in 2008 awarded by<br />
Kylie Minogue and Sharon Osborne, she also got invited to 10<br />
Downing street. Katy will be in the clear for 5years in <strong>2010</strong>. Katy<br />
is planning to write to everyone she has met within the last 5<br />
years (inc celebs) to ask for sponsorship. Katy’s dad works for the<br />
Royal Marines and is hoping on doing an event at work<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Adam<br />
Piggot<br />
Grimsby 38091<br />
Son Ryan, 4, is presently undergoing chemo for a brain tumour.<br />
Has had chemo for 6 months, a year to go. He had an adverse<br />
reaction to the first type of chemo and the alternative is much<br />
more severe. He now has to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days at a<br />
time after treatment so his body can be rehydrated.<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Their daughter Lillia was diagnosed with cancer when she was 3<br />
in March 2008. She had 9 months of treatment including major<br />
brain surgery (“the worst decision any parent should ever have<br />
to make”) Lillia survived and the nine moments included chemo<br />
Frankie and<br />
Angie Purcell TBC and radiotherapy. On Christmas Eve they were finally told that<br />
she was going to be ok. They also have another daughter –<br />
Summer – who is 2 and her life was also turned upside down by<br />
being split from her sibling. CLIC Sargent provided invaluable<br />
support to the couple throughout the difficult time and hence<br />
why they want to run the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> for them.<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Abby<br />
Fitzgerald<br />
TBC<br />
Son was diagnosed at 6 months old with Acute Mylelogenous<br />
Leukaemia (AML) 2 days before Christmas on 23rd December<br />
2005. She would stay in the hospital every night and it was not<br />
until Easter Sunday 2006 that all the family were back home for<br />
the first time<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Lisa<br />
Begley<br />
Chelsmford,<br />
Essex<br />
37963<br />
Her son, Ollie was diagnosed with Acute Mylelogenous<br />
Leukaemia (AML) in 2002 when he was 5 years old. He was<br />
diagnosed because he kept getting bruises in unusual places and<br />
then when he fell down off some monkey bars, his leg swelled<br />
up very severely and Lisa took him to the doctors who said it was<br />
worth having blood tests.<br />
These were diagnosed as Lymphoblastic Leukaemia which the<br />
doctors said was the ‘better’ cancer to get. Ollie was treated for<br />
this type of cancer for 2 weeks but with little or no response. He<br />
was therefore looked at again and diagnosed with AML M0<br />
which is very rare with only 50 cases in the past 20 years. He had<br />
chemo for six months after which the cancer has not returned.<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Nina<br />
Kislova<br />
Uxbridge,<br />
Middlesex<br />
16566<br />
Nina Kislova will be pounding the streets for CLIC Sargent in her<br />
first ever <strong>London</strong> marathon to give something back to the charity<br />
which supported her boyfriend during his battle with cancer.<br />
Alex was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the summer of<br />
2007 at the age of 19. Three months after Nina got together<br />
with Alex, he was diagnosed with cancer.<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Adam lost his wife to cancer at a very young age. She has been<br />
diagnosed and kept going into remission only for it to strike<br />
Adam<br />
Birkenhead Salisbury 37841 again. The last time it came back she knew she wouldn’t be able<br />
to go through chemo again and they got married within 3 days of<br />
it being diagnosed. She died a few months later.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Jean and Roy<br />
Meredith<br />
Radstock<br />
25162<br />
29462<br />
Jean and Roy have run 50 <strong>Marathon</strong>s together around the world<br />
including 26 <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>s and are running for CLIC Sargent<br />
due to the support the charity has given to their whole family.<br />
Their grandson Ben was diagnosed with leukaemia at the end of<br />
February 2007 when he was 16. His parents noticed that he was<br />
poorly and had very little energy and also that he seemed to be<br />
too tall for his strength. He has been on treatment for the last<br />
two years and was meant to finish it in February <strong>2010</strong> but due to<br />
a number of setbacks this is now meant to be May. One of these<br />
setbacks was an infection in which he lost 2 stone. He has also<br />
had to have a hip replacement.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Richard<br />
Curd<br />
Rye, East Sussex 38038<br />
In April 2006, Richard’s son, Oliver was diagnosed with Ewing’s<br />
Sarcoma – a tumour in his skull. He had been having sleepless<br />
nights and, bed sweats and was crying in his sleep for reasons he<br />
didn’t know. Oliver had ten months of treatment – both<br />
chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden. During<br />
this time he twice had to go into intensive care at St. George’s<br />
Hospital because he had sceptic shocks due to infections. After<br />
this period of treatment they thought Oliver had fully recovered<br />
and things were looking very positive. They took this opportunity<br />
to go to Malta for a family holiday to swim with dolphins as this<br />
had always been Oliver’s dream, he also celebrated his ninth<br />
birthday there. Within three months however the cancer had<br />
returned and no further curative treatment was available.<br />
After taking oral chemotherapy for a couple of months to slow<br />
the tumour down Oliver told his parents that he didn’t want to<br />
go back to the hospital. He was always aware of the<br />
consequences if his treatment didn't work. His parents of course<br />
accepted Oliver’s wishes and during the time he had they visited<br />
their family cottage in France and Centre Parcs. He died at home<br />
with his family around him, in his own bed in November 2007.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Ruth<br />
Conquest<br />
Leighton<br />
Buzzard<br />
37954<br />
Ruth’s cousin, Naomi Thacker was diagnosed with AML in spring<br />
2001 and passed away in the autumn. This is Ruth’s first ever<br />
marathon. She was always the worst at PE in her school. Because<br />
of that and other health issues, Ruth would never have dreamt<br />
of taking part in a marathon. By the time Ruth runs the<br />
marathon this April, it will be two years ago since she left her<br />
wheelchair. She was previously unable to stand up without<br />
suffering from seizures. The condition had come on suddenly<br />
when she was at college. One day she suffered a seizure and<br />
could not get up. Doctors could not diagnose her condition. She<br />
had numerous tests, and was told it was something<br />
psychological.<br />
At first, Ruth had to learn to walk, hobbling a few paces across a<br />
room leaning heavily on a zimmer frame. From there, she<br />
progressed to using crutches, all the time wearing knee braces<br />
with metal supports. Adopting a dog from an RSPCA centre was<br />
her motivation to walk without crutches as her mother wouldn’t<br />
allow her to have one until she could look after it herself. Then<br />
she started learning to run last May. In order to train, she<br />
approached the captain of her local athletic club, who offered to<br />
help her on a one-to-one basis.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rodney<br />
Pearce<br />
Cornwall 37982<br />
Rodney’s son Oliver was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in July<br />
2001. They went to the GP every day for a week but they kept<br />
sending the family home saying they were just worried first time<br />
parents. Eventually they took him in for tests and which revealed<br />
a tumour in his chest. Oliver was operated on immediately and<br />
they removed the tumour. The lung then fortunately re-inflated.<br />
Oliver was discharged after a week. He had regular check-ups<br />
until last year and is now under a pediatrician. He is fine, except<br />
when he gets hot, half his body turns red and the other half<br />
doesn’t!<br />
This is Rodney’s first ever exercise. He decided to take it on after<br />
watching Peter Andre do it last year. He started off running one<br />
minute and walking running minute but can now do 12 miles.<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Gavin<br />
Wilson<br />
Essex 42448<br />
Gavin was diagnosed with cancer when he was 15 years old and<br />
at the time there was very little support for young people in his<br />
situation. He has decided that, having fully recovered from the<br />
cancer, now is the time to do something for CLIC Sargent so that<br />
he is able to support the charity for all the work they do.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Fran<br />
Witt<br />
East Sussex 37904<br />
Fran’s daughter Elsa Rodger was diagnosed with Acute<br />
Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in 2006 when she was 2 ½ years<br />
old. Her treatment protocol was 2 ½ years – she began with the<br />
induction, then the two stage intensive chemotherapy. She is<br />
now in the maintenance stage. During her nine months of chemo<br />
she has some difficult side effect such as vomiting, mouth sores<br />
and weight loss. Fran says, “I remember at one point asking her<br />
what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she said, ‘When I<br />
grow up I want to be Elsa again.” Elsa is now coming towards the<br />
end of the treatment – she finishes in June and will be back to<br />
school next year.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Simon<br />
Kendrick<br />
Northampton 38064<br />
Simon Kendrick. Son Ben was 15 months when first diagnosed<br />
back in December 2007. He was 15 months old when they<br />
noticed his tummy swell up one evening. They rushed Ben to<br />
hospital and found out after 12 hours of grueling tests that he<br />
had a tumour that was trapping his urinerary track.<br />
Ben was misdiagnosed at first and was told he had a 50% chance<br />
of survival. His correct diagnosis revealed he had a 80% chance<br />
and he has now been in remission for 18 months. The family feel<br />
so fortunate.<br />
Simon also has a daughter, Jessica who is now five. Simon feels<br />
bad that she and Ben were exposed to such grown up things<br />
from such a young age.<br />
From the 6 children in Ben’s ward that had the same type of<br />
cancer as him, 4 of them have since died. That was a lot for a 5<br />
year old girl to deal with as she had become friends with them<br />
after all the many hours spent at the hospital. Simon’s wife Katy<br />
went to one of the girls funerals, Chelsea and was haunted and<br />
had nightmares of her pink coffin being carried by her Dad for 6<br />
months.<br />
Simon raised £15,000 for CLIC Sargent at the 2008 marathon. He<br />
was their highest fundraiser that year. He has vowed to do the<br />
marathon every year since then until he is physically unable to<br />
do them when he is a grampa!<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Mark<br />
Thomspon<br />
Leeds 37986<br />
Mark Thomson’s son Harry is now 6 but was diagnosed back in<br />
2006.<br />
When they first heard about the diagnosis the family were<br />
distraught. Their daughter Holly had been hit by a car on a zebra<br />
crossing 3 months before the diagnosis when the family were<br />
already emotionally fraught. They couldn’t believe they were<br />
back in hospital, this time with Harry.<br />
Holly is now 10 and has always been very protective of Harry.<br />
Harry has now gone back to school, luckily he hasn’t missed too<br />
much of school. He cant get involved with too many of the<br />
physical sports but has really immersed himself in school<br />
wherever he can.<br />
Mark was so grateful to CLIC Sargent who helped with the little<br />
every day things that make such a huge difference like doing the<br />
shopping, picking the children up from school, even ironing!<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Rachael<br />
Bergman<br />
Merseyside 38032<br />
Along with her friends and family, Rachel is running the VLM for<br />
her hen party as she is getting married a couple of months after<br />
the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>. She ran last year in aid of Children with<br />
Leukaemia and so thought it would be the perfect opportunity<br />
for her friends to feel the sense of achievement that she did.<br />
Rachel has a nursing background and so far 15 of her friends and<br />
family have agreed to run with her. She is getting married to Neil<br />
on 28th May <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Georgie<br />
Battye<br />
Thorton Hough,<br />
Cheshire<br />
38010<br />
Georgie Battye is running the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> alongside<br />
her boyfriend Ben to support her younger sister, 18 year old<br />
Ollie. Ollie was diagnosed with bone cancer early in 2009 and<br />
went through 14 chemotherapy sessions before being given the<br />
all clear just before Christmas. Since October Ollie has been<br />
recording an online video diary which has been cataloguing her<br />
experiences with cancer which she hopes will offer support to<br />
other young people going through the same experiences. Ollie’s<br />
online documentary is providing a never before seen insight into<br />
the experiences of a young person with cancer. You can follow<br />
her journey at www.clicsargent.org.uk/olliesstory. Ollie is hosting<br />
her own fundraising ball in March to raise money and she will be<br />
recording her diary until Georgie and Ben complete the<br />
marathon. Between them they are hoping to raise at least<br />
£20,000.<br />
Clic Sargent
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Ian<br />
Baker<br />
Oxford<br />
Ian’s daughter Zara was diagnosed with cancer of the eye when<br />
she was three and a half. Her cancer type was extremely rare so<br />
even their eye doctor friend didn’t think anything was wrong<br />
with her. Everything happened really fast but they first started to<br />
suspect something was wrong when only one of Zara’s eyes had<br />
red eye in a family photograph. Zara was in hospital within 48<br />
hours of suspecting something was wrong and she had her eye<br />
removed that day.<br />
Ian is a consultant clinical neuropsychologist, his wife Susannah<br />
is a clinical psychologist. They both work at the John Rudcliffe<br />
hospital nr Oxford. Both are used to seeing cancerous tumours<br />
and giving the bad news but not being on the receiving end of it.<br />
Ian has five children, Zara is the youngest of these and she has<br />
one full brother Rory. Rory, seven, was scared he would catch<br />
the cancer, like it was a cold. Both Ian and Susannah had a tough<br />
time calming him and being careful with giving presents to zara<br />
as Rory was very jealous of the attention they were all giving<br />
Zara.<br />
Ian has run the Abbingdon marathon and has raised £1800 at a<br />
charity wine tasting. Zara’ survival prognosis is excellent. She has<br />
a Perspex eye but you can’t really tell at all. Their friends and<br />
family have been incredible supportive. CLIC Sargent were there<br />
every step of the way.<br />
Clic Sargent<br />
Shaun<br />
Michael<br />
Donnellan<br />
Sheffied, South<br />
Yorkshire<br />
38274<br />
Gary, 39, was homeless for many years and was in and out of<br />
trouble with the police. He became affiliated with Crisis due to<br />
his past experiences and is keen to support their emotional<br />
services.<br />
Crisis
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Sharon<br />
Mogg<br />
Bridgend, Wales 28775<br />
40 year old Sharon who is mum to 12 year old Keelan with Cystic<br />
Fibrosis won the <strong>Virgin</strong> Money Giving competition to ‘Run with<br />
Richard’ so she is very much looking forward to running her first<br />
marathon. Her son Keelan suffers with the digestive side of<br />
Cystic Fibrosis very badly, yet was still able to take part in a<br />
sponsored swim for charity. This inspired Sharon to sign up for<br />
the marathon and she hopes to raise £2,000 to fund research<br />
into Cystic Fibrosis.<br />
Cystic Fibrosis Trust<br />
Sally<br />
Woolgar<br />
South <strong>London</strong> 38404<br />
30 year old Sally Woolgar had a life-saving double lung transplant<br />
aged 21 after waiting 5 long years for organs to become<br />
available. She is getting ready to run her first <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong><br />
<strong>Marathon</strong>, which will be an extra special achievement for her as<br />
ten years ago she could hardly walk let alone run.<br />
Cystic Fibrosis Trust<br />
Alan<br />
Williams<br />
Plymouth 28774<br />
31 year old Alan is running an incredible 31 races for the CF Trust<br />
this year with the aim of raising £31,000. Until very recently, the<br />
average life expectancy for someone born with CF was 31.<br />
The races include the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>, Tokyo <strong>Marathon</strong>,<br />
Great North Run and he will be covering 500 miles in the races<br />
alone. I have attached an article on him for more info and his<br />
website is www.run31.org.uk twitter<br />
http://twitter.com/alanw_run31<br />
Cystic Fibrosis Trust<br />
Yoko<br />
Sellek<br />
Guildford 39631<br />
Yoko is running as part of a team of five for the Great Ormond<br />
Street Hospital Charity. Pippa Moorin, Chris Burrows, Adrian<br />
Woodman and Ian Wilkes are part of Yoko's, 53, team. Yoko and<br />
her team will be running in memory of her son, Akio who died at<br />
GOSH last year at the age of 16. He suffered from systemic<br />
vasculitic inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis and died as a<br />
result of pneumothrorax.<br />
GOSH
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Lady Sheila<br />
Newby<br />
David<br />
Boon<br />
Liverpool 39652<br />
Walton-on-<br />
Thames<br />
17564<br />
Sheila, 51 is running her first marathon. Sheila had open heart<br />
surgery at GOSH in 1965 and believes she is one of the longest<br />
surviving patients to have cardiac open heart surgery. She is<br />
running, not only for the charity but also to achieve a personal<br />
goal.<br />
David will be running the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> blindfolded with a<br />
guide to raise money and awareness for the charity Guide Dogs<br />
for the Blind.<br />
Great Ormond Street<br />
Hospital Children's<br />
Charity<br />
Guide Dogs for the<br />
Blind<br />
Ken<br />
Murray<br />
Harpenden,<br />
Herts<br />
40046<br />
Ken, 44, will be running the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> for the<br />
charity Heart Research UK. He decided on this charity after his<br />
friend developed a heart condition and has ongoing treatment<br />
ever since. After seeing his friend's condition it bought home<br />
how important heart research is in finding cures for conditions<br />
like his friends', so Ken decided to run the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> to<br />
raise money for the pioneering research in to heart disease. He<br />
hopes to raise £5,000.<br />
Heart Research UK<br />
Rachel<br />
Moore and<br />
Zoe Lucas<br />
Gawcott, Bucks<br />
and Croydon,<br />
Surrey<br />
18937<br />
40032<br />
Rachel, 37 and Zoe, 34 dad died aged just 55 from a heart attack<br />
and this year they had a 'lunatic' idea of running the <strong>London</strong><br />
<strong>Marathon</strong> for the HRUK. Rachel is a self confessed chocoholic<br />
and has done little running before. She is blogging her and her<br />
sister's marathon progress. They are both running to raise<br />
money and awareness for Heart Research UK.<br />
Heart Research UK
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Debbie<br />
Hoods<br />
Beckenham 40961<br />
Debbie, 36, is an insulin dependant diabetic and also suffers from<br />
asthma. She has never run the marathon before but was inspired<br />
by her husband who has run several. She is running to save the<br />
charity. Kids First used to be the in-house charity for Woolworths<br />
plc. Now Woolies is no more, the charity has managed to<br />
continue but has yet to fill the funding gap that the loss of<br />
Wooolies left behind. Debbie has worked for the charity for over<br />
five years and is dedicated to ensuring that the charity can<br />
continue to run to benefit children. Debbie has two children<br />
under the age of seven and feels passionate about giving all kids<br />
a rich and varied life experience.<br />
Kids First Trust<br />
Chris<br />
Moon<br />
Strathaven 28078<br />
Chris Moon, 37, lost his right leg and arm in a landmine explosion<br />
whilst clearing landmines for charity in Moxambique in 1995.<br />
Doctors believed the only reason Chris survived was due to his<br />
peak physical fitness from years of army training. Chris has gone<br />
on to run the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> for the Leonard Cheshire<br />
Disability for the last eleven years, making the <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Virgin</strong><br />
<strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>, Chris' 12th, using his prosthetic limbs. Chris is<br />
massively inspirational; he's completed the <strong>Marathon</strong> De Sables<br />
using prosthetic limbs in 1997 and in 2004 Chris walked over<br />
1,000 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End via <strong>London</strong> in just<br />
25 days to raise funds for the Leonard Cheshire Disability.<br />
Leonard Cheshire<br />
Disability
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Lisa<br />
Kent<br />
Lisa, 45, Kent<br />
On the 8th July 2004 Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. Lisa<br />
had a double mastectomy and was back to work shortly after the<br />
surgery. Lisa has a fighting spirit and vowed to get better for her<br />
children. Sadly her cancer returned last April, but once again she<br />
has fought it off. Lisa said, “I want to give something back now<br />
while I am fit enough and able to”.<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
Paula<br />
Chesant,<br />
Hertfordshire<br />
On 13 December 2007 doctors found a tumour and diagnosed<br />
Paula with bowel cancer. To keep herself focused Paula started<br />
running. She had 12 cycles of treatment and so upped her<br />
distance by a mile each week. Paula’s plans to marry went ahead<br />
and she married her true love in April. Paula got given the all<br />
clear in August 2009.<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
Joanna<br />
Lucy<br />
Ed<br />
Arthur<br />
David<br />
Wapping,<br />
<strong>London</strong><br />
Hornchurch,<br />
Essex<br />
Chiswick<br />
Northampton<br />
Worcester Park,<br />
Surrey<br />
Jo found a lump on her neck which she ignored for 7 months.<br />
During this time her sister-in-law was also suffering from cancer.<br />
The same week that her sister-in-law was given the all clear, Jo<br />
was diagnosed with a rare head and neck cancer. Jo is running<br />
with her husband Stewart, whom she married in September<br />
2009.<br />
Lucy was diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer in 2007.<br />
This is her first marathon.<br />
Christmas 2007, finished university and was interning when a<br />
lump on his tongue was diagnosed as cancer. He has the all clear.<br />
Ed attended the 60th anniversary of the NHS at Westminster<br />
Abbey last year and spoke about his experience in front of Prince<br />
Charles and Gordon Brown.<br />
Arthur, 31, Survived testicular cancer, lost Mum to breast cancer<br />
and father survived Hodgkins disease<br />
David, 23, had Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006. He also lost his best<br />
friend to bowel cancer last year.<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Lisa<br />
Tim<br />
Lupton<br />
Christchurch,<br />
Dorset<br />
Devon 41958<br />
This is both Lisa, 40 and her son Robbie’s first marathon, doing it<br />
to raise awareness for her daughter Rosie. Rosie is 14 now (she<br />
13 when she was first diagnosed.<br />
Tim, 37, is running to support the charity and raise funds and<br />
awareness as a team of three. Tim's son was born with<br />
micropthalmia in his right eye and slightly in his left. His right eye<br />
has been removed and replaces with an artificial eye. The charity<br />
have been a great support to Tim and his family and his keen to<br />
show his appreciation.<br />
Macmillan Cancer<br />
Support<br />
MACS<br />
Mel<br />
Gordon<br />
Bexley, Kent 41944<br />
Mel, 54, has a daughter who was born in June 2008 with<br />
micropthalmia and cataract and she is blind in her right eye. Mel<br />
went along to a MACS event in 2009 and has since been inspired<br />
to help support the charity by running the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>.<br />
MACS<br />
Lucy Roe,<br />
Steve Roe<br />
and Terry<br />
Roe<br />
Wolverhampton<br />
41940<br />
41955<br />
41979<br />
Lucy, Steve and Terry are all running as a team for the first time.<br />
Lucy, her brother and dad will be running on the day of her 30th.<br />
Her dad will be celebrating his 60th birthday this year and so will<br />
be a double celebration. They hope to raise over £3,000<br />
between them.<br />
MACS<br />
Olivier<br />
Bertrand<br />
<strong>London</strong><br />
The Reverend Bertrand Olivier is running the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong><br />
<strong>Marathon</strong> for the second time this year with his Pastoral<br />
Assistant Martin Carr. They are both running to raise funds for<br />
and support the Medical and Eye Clinic in Aden Yemen.<br />
Medical and Eye<br />
Clinic in Aden, Yemen<br />
Dave<br />
Cox<br />
East Sussex 43364<br />
Dave, 26 had an accident when he was 19. He came off his bike<br />
and fractured his skull which resulted in to him loosing his<br />
hearing in one ear and the ability to walk. Whilst recovering he<br />
set himself a goal - to run the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>. He would like<br />
to give back to NDCS. In Dave's words, "NDCS worked towards<br />
giving valuable experience and contacts to sufferers at an early<br />
age to allow them to gain confidence and knowledge on how to<br />
live life. Something I wish I had."<br />
National Deaf<br />
Children's Society
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
David<br />
Potter<br />
Canterbury,<br />
Kent<br />
34084<br />
Over a year ago David's three year old son was diagnosed with<br />
poor stem cells, he was not producing enough blood cells for him<br />
to be healthy and seem pale and fatigued. Ultimately it would be<br />
life threatening. The Anthony Nolan Trust then found two 100%<br />
matches out of 10 million on their donor database, and Ben had<br />
a bone marrow transplant in March 2009 and was home safe in<br />
June. Months on, David and his partner are celebrating Ben's<br />
health. David has a massive amount of motivation and is keen to<br />
show his support and thanks to both the Royal Marsden and The<br />
Anthony Nolan Trust. He has chosen to raise money for both.<br />
Royal Marsden<br />
Hospital, the new<br />
Children Wing Appeal<br />
and The Anthony<br />
Nolan Trust<br />
Andy<br />
Knell<br />
<strong>London</strong> 44767<br />
Andy will be completing the marathon for the charity Sense.<br />
Whilst Andy is not blind, he will be running blind folded so that<br />
he can appreciate and understand what it is like to have the<br />
ability to see. He will be running with a guide at all times and so<br />
will be aware of his surroundings.<br />
Sense<br />
Kristan<br />
Williams<br />
Oxon 34219<br />
He’s running ’21 races for a 21 year old hero’ in memory of his<br />
friend Jamie Gunn who was killed in action in Afghanistan last<br />
February. He started his 21 races in June last year and the 21st<br />
will be the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>.<br />
Jamie’s sister is one of the faces of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.<br />
Kristina himself served four years in the Army.<br />
Soldier's Charity<br />
Garry<br />
Sussex<br />
Rheindahlen 34214<br />
Gary is planning on running the marathon this year not only in<br />
uniform in his kit but with a weight of 101 lbs which, if he<br />
completes in under 10 hours, will be a world record. He’s<br />
currently serving in Germany.<br />
Soldier's Charity
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Brian and<br />
John Lee<br />
Taunton,<br />
Somerset<br />
48235<br />
6557<br />
Brian and John, both aged 45 are identical red headed twins who<br />
have been competitive throughout their lives in sport. Twin<br />
rivalry is already keen as both Brian and John are keen both to<br />
be the first across the <strong>Marathon</strong> finish line and to raise the most<br />
sponsorship. Brian is currently training under the watchful eye of<br />
Somerset Captain ( and ex England cricketer) Marcus<br />
Trescothick, with support from all at the club. If he crosses the<br />
line before John he will have the pleasure of watching his<br />
brother put through a grueling session in the gym by the<br />
Somerset Cricket Team. As Somerset boys they are keen to<br />
support a Somerset charity. St Margaret’s is here to help local<br />
people and you never know if, sometime, people we know may<br />
need care from the Hospice.<br />
St Margaret's<br />
Somerset Hospice<br />
Irene<br />
Clarke<br />
Epsom, Surrey 28018<br />
Irene will be one of the oldest women to run this year's <strong>Virgin</strong><br />
<strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> at the age of 82. Irene ran her first marathon<br />
in 1989 after loosing her husband in October 1988, she ran in his<br />
memory at the age of 60. Irene has been the oldest runner for<br />
several <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>s finishing in the top two for her age<br />
group.<br />
TBC
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Tony<br />
Hodge<br />
Germany 31736<br />
25th April will be my 33rd full marathon and 14th '<strong>London</strong>' and<br />
my personal best time was recorded in the 2002 marathon (2<br />
hours, 56 minutes).<br />
I work for the Ministry of Defense and last year I had to do all<br />
my training on a treadmill because I was working in Afghanistan -<br />
it was too dangerous to run outside the Camp for obvious<br />
reasons! This year I am over in Germany with my family and<br />
have had to run through the hardest German Winter for 30 years<br />
and we've had snow on the ground for over 2 months.<br />
The full details of my running efforts this year are on my just<br />
giving page:<br />
www.justgiving.com/tony-hodge<br />
Jamie Ingliss Appeal,<br />
British Forces<br />
Germany<br />
Dean<br />
Parsons<br />
Morden, Surrey 51756<br />
Dean is running the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> this year as Haydon,<br />
The Womble AFC Wimbledon's official mascot. This will be<br />
Dean's first <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>.<br />
The Children's Trust<br />
James<br />
Delve<br />
Derbyshire 42442<br />
James, 24 is running his first marathon this year for the<br />
Meningitis Trust. James lost a close friend of his since the age of<br />
17, Will Sheppard to meningitis. Since then the Meningitis Trust<br />
has been important to James and has supported fundraising<br />
activities since. In 2004 a group of Will's friend's and family<br />
raised over £100,000 for the trust. Although James didn't run he<br />
assisted massively with the fundraising. One of the team who ran<br />
in 2004 for the Meningitis Trust was Tom Donaldson, a friend of<br />
James' since the age of 12. Tragically Tom died following a freak<br />
accident in February 2009. James has since decided that he<br />
would like run in both Tom and Will's memory. James has<br />
decided to run for the Meningitis Trust following the death of<br />
Will and as it was the charity close to Tom's heart.<br />
The Meningitis Trust
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Edward<br />
Hepworth<br />
Teddington 42438<br />
Edward, 39 would like to run the <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> for<br />
The Meningitis Trust to raise awareness of the disease and the<br />
charity. Edward's sister has meningitis at the age of 22 who came<br />
close to death, as well as having two friend's who have<br />
contracted the disease and as a result hopes to raise a minimum<br />
of £1,500 for the charity.<br />
The Meningitis Trust<br />
Stephen<br />
Saxon<br />
Gloucestershire<br />
Stephen, 46 will be tackling the marathon for a second time.<br />
Stephen is the team leader for a group of six and will be running<br />
in full military wear. The team have chosen to run for a<br />
colleague's father-in-law who died after contracting meningitis.<br />
Between the team they hope to raise a massive £9,000. They will<br />
each be running carrying a 30lb back pack. The team are with the<br />
Military Provost Guard Service based at Imjin Barracks in<br />
Gloucestershire. They are all regular serving members of the<br />
British Army.<br />
The Meningitis Trust<br />
Abigail<br />
Tester<br />
Richard<br />
Branch<br />
Buckinghamshir<br />
e<br />
42426<br />
Suffolk 42439<br />
Abigail is running in memory of her father-in-law who sadly died<br />
from meningitis in 2006 at the age of 54. Abigail, 33 is running to<br />
support the charity and the good work they do for those<br />
suffering with the disease.<br />
Richard, 25 is running this year's marathon with his brother. They<br />
are running in memory of a their friend and team-mate who<br />
died from meningitis. They have been already raising funds<br />
through their cricket club.<br />
The Meningitis Trust<br />
The Meningitis Trust
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Stephanie<br />
Smith<br />
Peterborough 42473<br />
Stephanie, 18 (Feb<strong>2010</strong>), lost a very dear friend to her at the<br />
young age of 18 from meningitis. Stephanie decided that as soon<br />
as she turned 18 and was old enough she would run in her<br />
friend's memory for a charity close to heart. "Thommy was the<br />
most genuine and outgoing person who never failed to make me<br />
laugh. It is obvious that I had to do something for her and I know<br />
that she will keep me motivated and determined to complete he<br />
marathon."<br />
The Meningitis Trust<br />
Paul<br />
Martin<br />
Plymouth 42435<br />
Paul, 33 suffered with meningitis nine years ago and made a full<br />
recovery. Paul's cousin contracted the disease and sadly died of<br />
Meningitis aged 26. Paul would like to run in memory of his<br />
cousin Mark.<br />
The Meningitus Trust<br />
Anthony<br />
Bell<br />
Essex 49302<br />
Anthony, 65 has already run a huge 46 marathons. He has<br />
completed the Comrades Ultra, Iceland Ultra, Two Bridges Ultra,<br />
Mount Everest Ultra and is still going! He believes <strong>London</strong> is the<br />
biggest and best he can do and what makes it more special is<br />
that he will be 65 when he runs. Anthony is inspired by the work<br />
of the charity and wants to help as much as he can.<br />
Victa Children<br />
Naveen<br />
Anandakum<br />
ar<br />
Hounslow 48992<br />
Naveen will turn 21 on race day. Naveen is taking a gap year to<br />
complete the <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> and raise funds for Victa.<br />
Naveen believed that when he found out the marathon was on<br />
the same day as his birthday, it was his destiny to complete the<br />
marathon. He hopes to raise £2,000.<br />
Victa Children<br />
Stephen<br />
Threadgold<br />
Bristol 49016<br />
Stephen will be running his sixth marathon and will be turning on<br />
the day. This marathon will Stephen's last before emigrating to<br />
Australia. He believes that Victa Children is a great charity with a<br />
good cause.<br />
Victa Children
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Kevin<br />
Howes<br />
Tadley,<br />
Hampshire<br />
48975<br />
Kevin, 37 has worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.<br />
Has been around/worked with many organisations that support<br />
visually impaired and blind children. Kevin's father sadly passed<br />
away who was also partially sighted. Kevin has a strong<br />
association with the charity and wants to help as much as he<br />
can.<br />
Victa Children<br />
Sylvia and<br />
John<br />
Courtney<br />
Liverpool<br />
49030<br />
51202<br />
John, 71 and Sylvia, 67 will be celebrating their 50th anniversary<br />
this year. They are great-grandparent. John will be a guide<br />
runner to their foster child James Hughes. Sylvia will be running<br />
her fourth <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> this year whilst John has run 44<br />
different marathons in total. They are keen to support a charity<br />
which helps visually impaired and blind children.<br />
Victa Children<br />
James<br />
Hughes<br />
Liverpool<br />
James, 37 has learning difficulties. James was fostered at the age<br />
of 14 by John and Sylvia Courtney who are running at this year's<br />
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong>. John will be acting as James' guide.<br />
This year's marathon will be James' fifth time running for the<br />
Victa charity and his 40th ever marathon.<br />
Victa Children
<strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> - <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Interest</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
David<br />
Lebus<br />
<strong>London</strong> 49440<br />
David Lebus has a special reason for running for Wellbeing of<br />
Women in the <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Virgin</strong> <strong>London</strong> <strong>Marathon</strong> – his mother.<br />
His mum, Christina, was the director of Wellbeing (as was) from<br />
1997-1999, she was fiercely proud of the charity and even in the<br />
short time she was director, made a big difference to its success.<br />
Sadly in 1999 she became very ill and died.<br />
David says “She cared hugely about the charity and what they<br />
were trying to achieve. It was a great frustration to her that<br />
being ill stopped her from carrying on the work that she so<br />
enjoyed and felt so strongly about. I want to raise money for<br />
WoW, not just in memory of Mum, but also as a thank you for<br />
the motivation and the inspiration that her memory provides<br />
every day, whether I’m running a marathon or not.<br />
Wellbeing of Women<br />
Gary<br />
Eccleston<br />
Prestatyn<br />
Gary is running the marathon as a 'T' bag. Gary's wife is fantastic<br />
with making her own clothes and is going to be making Gary's<br />
costume after he sourced some suitable material. Gary will be<br />
running around his local streets to get some further support and<br />
raise awareness.<br />
WellChild