As a non-runner, embarking on the London Marathon 2023 really felt like a huge challenge for me. A decision made entirely with motivation to raise money in my brother, Adams, name.
Adam passed away suddenly in April 2022 of an undiagnosed heart condition which caused a sudden cardiac arrest. As a family of 6 children, to say this was devastating would be a rather large understatement. We were, and still are, a very close knit family and after Adam’s passing I hated the prospect of any other families having to go through a similar situation.
I started to research charity work into sudden cardiac death in young people and came across CRY. Immediately I resonated with their message and their mission. I felt I had to do something for Adam that helped others who might be affected by something similar and may never know until it’s too late.
After months of gruelling training, the marathon day was an incredible, emotional, painful and memorable experience. One that I will truly never forget. The support from friends, family and the wonderful people at CRY helped me to raise over £11,000 pounds and I have never felt more proud. Especially because I know how huge the hug would have been from Adam had he been there at the finish line. The mixture of accomplishing something like the marathon and also raising such a significant amount of money is a feeling like no other and I couldn’t recommend it enough.
I might be crazy enough to apply again next year!