I set myself a target of running a marathon once in my life and decided turning 50 was the milestone that I needed to finally pluck up the motivation and courage to tackle the challenge. Covid has pushed it back a bit but finally I am doing it! 

April 23rd 2023 is the big day!!!

Here are some interesting marathon facts:

* A marathon is 26.2 miles, (42.195km), approximately 55,000 steps

* Approx 1.3 million runners complete a marathon each year (0.01% of the worlds population)

* 32% of marathon participants are female

*Paula Radcliffe holds the record for the fastest female winner of the London marathon. 2 Hours 15 minutes 25 seconds

* More than a million people have completed the London marathon course, raising over a billion pounds for charity since the inaugural race in 1981

I have run a half marathon in the past for the amazing Sue Ryder cause and am hoping to complete this monumental personal challenge whilst raising some money and doing good for others along the way.

The Charity Sue Ryder supports patients and families living with life-limiting and long-term neurological conditions. Their doctors, nurses and carers give people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they possibly can.

The hospice that my fund raising will be supporting is St John's Hospice in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire. The 15 bed inpatient hospice provides valuable medical care to those with life limiting conditions whilst supporting patients families with emotional and practical help  along the way. 

Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists,occupational and complementary therapists, nursing assistants and family support team members all work seamlessly together. They are experts in supporting
people through the most difficult times of their lives.

Hospice care is free however independent hospices only receive around one third of the money required to fund their end of life services from the Government. The remaining costs of the palliative care services are covered by voluntary donations and fundraising activities like mine. It cost Sue Ryder £55 million in the year 2020-21 to keep their services running. £21 million of which was generated through fundraising in 2020-21.  

Please give generously to help this fantastic cause so that they can continue to support people through the most difficult times of their lives.

A huge thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my story and make a donation. Your support is much appreciated.