In 2022 my beautiful Mum died. Please sponsor me as I run in her memory.

Hi, I am Sally Beadle. I live in Norfolk where I work at a day centre for adults with autism and learning disabilities.

I am running three challenges for Phab in mums memory.

June - Sandringham half marathon ( completed 2:32)

September- Norfolk coastal marathon 26.2 miles- completed in 6:19.14

My lap of honour...

April 27th 2025 - London marathon

FUNDRAISING UPDATE - TOTAL £1,400 (and includes just giving and other money raised)

About my chosen charity,

Information from Phab

Phab inspires and supports disabled and non-disabled children, young people and adults, to make more of life together, through our network of 130 clubs over England & Wales, with 8,000 members and our Phab residential adventures, breaking down community barriers, reducing social isolation, and creating opportunities for all involved to enjoy the same activities and challenges side by side.

For more information visit www.phab.org.uk

Why I chose Phab,

Grab a cuppa and a comfy chair, this is my story.

In 1968 Sue Benbow ran Chelmsford Phab club. She met an able bodied young man in Southend at an event and invited him to attend Chelmsford Phab. Sue thought he would bring some lads she knew who also lived in Southend but did not drive.

The man’s name was Keith, he attended the club and chatted with Sue afterwards. She wanted to know where he parked but Keith told her he walked. Sue was a little confused as Southend's a long way from Chelmsford. Keith told her he lived 100 yards away in the Red Cross house.

Keith Joined the club and he started dating a visually impaired lady called Wendy. They got married on Valentine’s Day 1970, had two children and three grand children. They celebrated 52 years of marriage in 2022, Wendy passed away November 2022 after living a full and active life. What Wendy didn’t know about gardening wasn’t worth knowing. A great cook, competent knitter and a lover of music. He life was not always easy but it was shared thanks to phab.

To their friends they are Keith and Wendy, to me they are Mum and Dad.

I owe my life and the lives of my 2 children to Phab.

About me, I am 52 and am autistic. I have an impressive range of ailments including asthma, diverticulitis and arthritis. I am seeking formal diognosis for neurodiverse conditions.

Growing up I was seen as lazy, unmotivated and incapable. I was bullied at school and in every job I ever had. I worked for myself for nearly 20 years but covid ended that. I am now learning that I am not lazy or ignorant, I am autistic. Behaviours I have hated about myself are part of me and I can’t change them.

I struggle with anxiety and depression, at times I can’t see a way forward. I find social situations especially difficult.

Running gives me the motivation to eat and sleep well. It is the reason I am still alive.

Last year I got a ballot place in London marathon. I got the email two days after getting out of hospital with sepsis and malnutrition.

32 years of trying, 9 months training and I got a bug and could not run in 2024.

Two weeks after the London marathon I completed a virtual Marathon in kings Lynn. I started running at 5am and joined the GEAR 10k for the last 6 miles. I completed 26.8 miles in total in 6:02. This honoured my sponsorship commitments.

I still have my dream and I have now received my deferred place from last years marathon.

There are people out there like my Mum, people who have disabilities but so much potential and masses of ability. They just need opportunities.

Your donation will give them that opportunity. To learn, grow, push boundaries, develop new stills and thrive. Who knows some may meet their soul mate like Mum did.

My story is one of hope. It starts with two people who would never have met if it wasn’t for Phab. It’s about overcoming, struggling and doing it anyway. Joy and friendship, happiness and inclusivity.

It’s also about faith, I am a Christian and believe that each step I run is with my Lord.

I will post updates as I progress.

Thank you for helping me to give back.

This is me!

Hair colour may vary….

Update

June - 2024

After almost crippling anxiety I ran the Sandringham half marathon completed in a time of 2:32 chip time. My app said 2:35.

July - Three weeks out with a throat infection. I did manage a sub 30 min 5k in the middle.

August - back into training. Ran a 16 miler, then 20 miles and a 13.1 miler too. All under my 14 min mile target pace.

September, trainings going well. Entering taper weeks where I focus of recovery ahead of the race. I need a little more sponsorship to reach my target.

6 days to marathon - My anxiety is high. I am mainly nervous about keeping well for Saturday. So much do that I have a plan B in place to run an alternative marathon should I be ill.

Anxiety and mental health can be debilitating. Running has taught me not to give up.

Norfolk coastal marathon - I started the race full of nerves and settled into my 5 min run 90 second walk routine. At mile 2.5 I slipped and landed on my bum! Got up and continued, this was a self navigation run and there were a few points I was concerned I would go wrong.

As mile 11 was announced in my headphones I face planted a particularly stony path, no damage so on I go, lost in the sand dunes, rescued by bird watchers, overwhelmed by people enjoying the sun at mile 19 at Wells, finding the water stop and setting off on the last 6 miles. Getting stuck in a swamp mile 25 and climbing out using my elbows, very pleased to see the finish flags, eyes filled with tears as I approached the line.

8 week strength and conditioning training completed.

Training block week one started 16th December.

Week one long run just completed. 5 miles weekly total 12 miles ran. That’s three runs two weight sessions and an exercise bike session.

Please give what you can, thank you.

FUNDRAISING UPDATE TOTAL WITH JUST GIVING AND CASH £1,000.63p

HALF WAY TO TARGET 4TH DECEMBER 2024

Dec 21st £1,100 total

Jan 8th £1,400 total

Next stop London for my lap of honour.

Mental health update

I am seeing a councillor and have weekly check ins with mind. It’s been about a month since I last needed the crisis team. Work is very supportive and is helping me understand my disability. For the first time I am being told I don’t need to change, that I am ok as I am. I am being encouraged to develop strategies for when I am not treated right and to learn to give myself time to process changes.

Socially things are not so going well. I masked for my entire life and now that’s stopping I am really struggling with how others see me. The anxiety was crippling.

I am not currently able to attend Church in person and that breaks my heart however I can watch online. It’s a decision that has improved my mental health but long term I hope to develop strategies to enable me to go where I want to.

I am inspired even more to raise funds to ensure others have access to social settings where they can be accepted and included. I am certain this will impact positively on their entire lives.

Thanks for reading

May God bless you.