I ran the London Marathon for Save the Children, but also for me!

I am still glowing with pride that I ran the London Marathon last week. Yes, I was very slow — 5 hours and 8 minutes to be precise! However, it is 19 years since I last ran a marathon, I am over 60 and have had three major operations since 2019, so I am actually thrilled with my result.

Why did I run the London Marathon?

Save the Children made the offer to run the London Marathon in Summer 2019, even before I knew I had cancer. I had just run the Ilkley Half Marathon, my first running event since 2003 and I decided I would like to try a bit further.

Little did I know that I would need major surgery several times and need to be patient with the covid pandemic changing the marathon timetable, before I got to run.

Who was I running for?

Save the Children is a client who I hold very dearly. I work extremely closely with Save the Children International in different parts of the world and have never worked so comprehensively with such amazingly dedicated individuals before. Working in the most horrific situations, to ensure every child they encounter gets the support they need.

• I ran for their staff, particularly the women I work with in Afghanistan. Women we are supporting through mentoring to be leaders, who have to deal with such incredible difficulties and dangers in their day-to-day work.
• I ran for women who will never be able to run a marathon, such as my daughter’s friend who died at 26.
• I ran with my daughter.
• I ran for women in Ukraine whose lives are disrupted or worse by the war.
• I ran for women in Iran who are persecuted, imprisoned and killed.
• When things get hard when I run, I think of all these brave women and I run for them.
• I also ran for me.
• I ran because I could, and
• I ran to celebrate that I am alive and well!

Thank you to all my supporters

As of today, Sophie and I are close to our Just Giving target to raise £5000 for Save the Children.

Thank you for all those who have supported us!

Yes, I even ran with Big Bird!

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