UPDATE! Why I’m running for Leaukamia UK!!! 🧡

Rebecca’s long run for Leukaemia.

Last year my son suffered a nasty injury playing football for his school. He was on crutches for 2 months which prevented him from playing for nearly 4 months.

 The injury really set him back physically and mentally with regards to his football, and he massively lacked confidence in himself.

 Just as he was close to getting back to being able to play again, we were incredibly fortunate to get the opportunity for him to have some coaching sessions with one of his hero’s, the then captain of Wrexham, Ben Tozer.  David had watched Ben playing every week for Wrexham and the chance to meet him and actually train with him was a huge boost for him.

He spent the next few months working with Ben every week, and the difference in David was massive, not just in how he played, but most importantly in his confidence. His belief in himself grew massively through the brilliant work Ben did with him.

 We got to know Ben a little. He’s a great guy and we are hugely grateful for his help.  We were looking for a way to say thank you to Ben and this is it.

 Sadly, around 12 months before we got to know Ben, his father tragically passed away from Leukaemia. It was very sudden and the impact on Ben and his family was pretty massive. He bravely carried on playing, but we can only imagine how hard this must have been.

 So to thank Ben for all he did for David, we’d like to raise money to try to help the fight against Leukaemia, in the hope that one day research can help find a way to prevent this being a life threatening illness.

 Not content with running one race, I’m taking part in a series of runs raising money for Leukaemia UK.

 I’ve already made a start, recently running the Tittesworth half (completely mis-sold when it was in fact 14.5 miles!), and then the Gritstone grind, a 35-mile cross country trail run from Kidsgrove, near Stoke-on-Trent to Disley near Stockport. It was a tough, but really beautiful route (although my feet didn’t agree for a couple of weeks after)!

 Next up I’ll be running the Manchester half marathon. I’ve loved the Manchester runs I’ve done before, but am hoping to complete this without face planting just before the finish line!!!

 Then in Spring next year I’ll be running in the London landmarks half marathon, just a couple of weeks before completing a lifelong dream of running in my first London Marathon .

 In total just over 100 miles of hard running, trying to raise money for this wonderful cause.

 Leukaemia is something that nobody expects to effect them, but sadly it can impact anybody. Since deciding to run for the cause two members of our close family have also been battling the disease, with one of them sadly recently losing the battle. Also in my thoughts have been the incredible daughter of one of my running buddies. Knowing what little Olivia has been through with her treatment will be spurring me on when the going gets tough on training runs that’s for sure!!!

 With the help of Leukemia UK, hopefully one day it won’t have to be like this.  So if there’s anything you’re able to donate, to help me get through the miles I have left on my challenge and most importantly help the charity with the fight against Leukaemia, that would be massively appreciated.

So I have been extremely fortunate to receive a place for the London 2025 Marathon via Leaukamia UK.

It has always been an absolute dream, bucket list thing of mine to participate in, and I’ll update when I can put into words why this charity means so much to us as a family❤️

As well as the London Marathon I have a number of other events in the lead up that I feel are worthy of a mention too! I mean someone should benefit from all these crazy antics right 😳😵‍💫😂

First up was the Tittesworth Trail 22km race in July 2024. This was a mere training run ready for the 34.5 mile Gritstone Grind ultra marathon in September 🥵🥵🥵

October will see me in Manchester for the half marathon.

We then head down to London not once, but twice to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon and then the dream of the actual LONDON MARATHON! Argh 🎉🎉🎉

From leukaemia UK 🧡

Research has the power to stop leukaemia devastating lives.

Leukaemia UK is the UK’s dedicated leukaemia research charity, determined to save and improve the lives of those affected by leukaemia, by funding world-class research and ground-breaking care.

We firmly believe that research has the power to make a difference and truly change lives. We want to bring about positive change, through accelerating progress in diagnosis, treatment and care for those living with leukaemia today and for everyone diagnosed tomorrow and in the future.