Laura, Letty, Vic, George, Fliss, Annabelle, Ed, Emma, Jason and Masa are running from Cardiff to Warsaw and back again. 

In January 2019 Laura was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and embarked on an 18 month process of treatment, surgery and recovery, with the support of friends and family. Her mum, Lesley, visited regularly in the early months to take care of Laura.

But in July 2019 Lesley was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and started her own course of chemotherapy. By October it was clear that Lesley's cancer had spread, and was terminal, and she chose the Palliative care route, hoping for greater quality of life for as long as that might be. Her immediate care in November and December at the Marie Curie Holme Towers Hospice in Penarth, Cardiff was second to none; the team were able to stabilise her condition and her stay allowed her the support, safety and sense of security to make good progress (and write her memoirs!) Lesley remained in Holme Towers until January 2020 when she was able to return home to Cardiff, with continued care. In March Lesley was readmitted to Holme Towers for further respite care, and was there when the country went into Lockdown. With Marie Curie's support, she was able to relocate to Laura's brother's house in Shropshire.  

As a birthday present to Lesley in November 2019, Laura (and 9 friends) signed up to complete the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2020, raising funds for Marie Curie. This was in recognition of the outstanding care and support given over the preceding months, and a kick for Laura (and friends) to get a bit fitter. During her own chemotherapy treatment Laura had been unable to climb the stairs without stopping to catch her breath. 

Covid-19 has scuppered many plans, and the Cardiff Half Marathon is one of them. But, we still want to use this time to run as if in training and to raise money for this incredible charity.

We have therefore decided to run from Cardiff (Laura and Lesley's birth place) to Warsaw (Marie Curie's birth place) and back again between now and October 4th (the original Half Marathon date.) In total this is c. 3600 km, therefore requiring each of us to cover 360 km in the next 4 months. That works out at 90 km per month, and roughly one half marathon every week, for each of us, for the next 17 weeks!

With fundraising events, like the half marathon and London Marathon, cancelled this year, charities like Marie Curie are desperately in need of funds to be able to continue to provide the care that is so urgently needed and gratefully received. 

Any donation you are able to make will spur us on our way!

You can read Lesley's blog on lockdown, terminal illness and Marie Curie here: 
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/blog/ive-been-given-time-to-say-the-things-that-matter-to-the-people-i-love/263949

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