Determined marathon runners were awash with emotion as they battled heat and exhaustion to raise vital funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Seven participants proudly wore the charity’s logo in Sunday’s showpiece London event, collectively raising nearly £7,000.
Bereaved mum Katy Martin was among those pounding the streets of the capital, raising more than £2,000 as a way of saying thank you for the care and support she and husband Chris received following the death of baby son Henry, in 2022.
The couple’s first-born son died ten days after being born at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
As a family, they transferred to The Nook, EACH’s Norfolk hospice, spending three precious days together while being supported by the team there. Using a special ‘cuddle cot’, Henry was able to stay with them, and, as part of memory-making activities, casts were taken of his hands and feet.
“Sunday was truly amazing, and I felt so many emotions,” said Katy, from Horsford, who completed the distance in six hours and 35 minutes.
“It’s hard to put the experience into words, and I feel very proud of myself, especially given the heat.
“It’s something I’ll never forget, and the marathon truly brings out the best in people.
“The generosity and noise of the crowd was incredible, and running for EACH gave me the push I needed to get to the finish line. It was my way of showing thanks for everything this amazing charity does to help and support families like mine.”
Also running in London was nan Alison Short, as EACH provided care and support for her family following the death of granddaughter Aria, aged just 22 months, in 2023.
Aria had a rare genetic disorder called Miller-Dieker syndrome. The condition meant the outer part of her brain, the cerebral cortex, was smooth and not properly developed.
After a series of seizures, Aria was diagnosed at seven months, and EACH soon came into her life, also providing vital support for Alison’s son, Paul, and his partner, Chloe.
“I was so happy to raise more than £1,500,” said Alison, who lives in Perry, near Huntingdon.
“It was a truly amazing experience, and I loved every minute.
“I ran with my nephew, Jay Ramsay, and he showed his support by wearing an EACH vest. He also had his own special reason for running, after a friend died by suicide, so he was doing it in his memory.
“We ran every step and kept to our plan of 11 minutes per mile, coming in under our five-hour target at 4h 51m.
“I managed to sew two vests together for my chosen charities – EACH and the Matt Hampson Foundation (which inspires and supports young people seriously injured through sport).
“A friend also bought me a purple hair clip with Aria’s name on, which was so special. It really was a fantastic, incredible day, knowing we were supporting such great charities.”
Dad Alex Leighton ran for EACH as his ten-year-old daughter, Amaya, has Larsen syndrome – a condition that affects her joints and has led to severe muscle weakness – and receives care at The Nook.
“I felt pretty sore afterwards, but it was well worth it,” said Alex, from Gorleston, who raised more than £1,200.
“Running the marathon was an experience, to say the least. The weather made the challenge more difficult, but the support from my family back home, as well as the crowd around the course, helped me through the toughest parts.
“The fact I was able to give something back to EACH made it so worthwhile.”
Charlotte Beresford completed the 26.2-mile distance for EACH and described it as a “truly amazing experience”.
“The heat was intense, but I made it,” she said.
“Knowing the money I raised would directly help the charity kept me going, and I’d love to do it again next year.”
The other incredible runners representing EACH were Jordan Walker, Kevin James and Ian Carter.
