A VALE woman will be running this year’s London Marathon to raise cash for a charity very close to her heart.
Joanna Brett, 41, from Dumbleton, will attempt to tackle the 26.1 mile course around the capital on Sunday, April 23 for St Richard’s Hospice.
The kind-hearted runner made the decision to raise as much as possible for the charity after her mother-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Doreen Brett, 74, from Ashton-under-Hill is now being supported by the hospice and receiving regular home visits.
Joanna has already begun fundraising for the hospice. She recently held a coffee morning at Dumbleton Cricket Pavilion and raised £850 and a ladies get together which raised £150. Her two sons, George and William, who both attend Bredon Hill Academy, also held a cake sale at their school and raised £170.
Joanna said: “I am so pleased I decided to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice, particularly now that my mother-in-law has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“We have been absolutely overwhelmed with the care and support they have provided us with and realise just how much they touch lives such as ours.
“I have complete and total admiration for all the staff and cannot thank them enough. We have now decided that the hospice is going to be our family charity going forward.
“Two years ago I couldn’t run to the end of the road! I decided to enter a local 5k run, then a 10k and then a half marathon. Watching the London Marathon last year made me decide to enter – I was amazed when I got a place! I am aiming to raise as much money as I can for such a worthwhile cause.”
Ria Simons, community fund-raiser at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We are always heartened to hear of the individual stories that motivate people to nominate St Richard’s as their chosen charity. We would like to wish Joanna and all our London
Marathon runners the best of luck as race day approaches.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jo-brett2 to sponsor Joanna and for more information.
