Determined runners have spoken of their immense pride and extra motivation after completing the London Marathon for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Alison Stewart, Victoria Williams and Jordan Black were among eight heroic participants inspired to support the charity – between them raising £9,568.
Teacher Alison was setting her sights on a quirky world record by running the fastest marathon by someone dressed as a videogame character.
Looking resplendent as Chun-Li, from 90s hit Street Fighter, she achieved an astonishing time of three hours and 19 minutes – in the process raising more than £1,000.
“I was so pleased to beat my fundraising target and definitely felt extra motivation because I was supporting EACH,” said the 44-year-old, who lives in Over and teaches at The Perse Upper School, in Cambridge.
“When I visited the Milton hospice, I was so impressed at the amazing work they do to make lives better.
“I’m so happy that my friends and family have supported this cause by sponsoring me.”
Victoria, who grew up in Suffolk, raised £1,558 after completing the gruelling 26.2-mile course in 4h 37m.
It was the first time she had run the London Marathon, although she previously took on the London Moonwalk in May 2023.
She described it as an “amazing experience” and said: “I can’t believe how much people donated and it shows what an amazing charity EACH is.
“I love that this money goes directly to helping people when they are at their most vulnerable.”
Jordan, from Red Lodge, crossed the line in 4h 30m and raised a brilliant £1,870.
“It went well and was roughly where I expected to finish,” he said.
“I struggled around the 17 to 20-mile mark and my pace dropped a little. However, it started to get easier after that as the crowds reappeared.
“It was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I was able to raise as much as I did for EACH.
“I didn’t expect to get near that amount and it motivated me when the going got tough, because it’s such a great cause.”
Senior Community Fundraiser Anna Bruce said she had the utmost respect for all eight runners who completed the marathon for EACH.
“It’s such an impressive, incredible thing to do and not just about the challenge on the day – it’s about all those gruelling weeks and months of hard work and dedication in the build-up,” she said.
“We’re so incredibly grateful to all those who chose to support us.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have any charity spaces to offer so these people came to us and said they wanted to raise funds. It’s such a generous thing to do and very much appreciated.”
