14 fantastic runners raised more than £22,000 for Jessie May tackling The London Marathon last weekend.
Jessie May is a charity that provides free specialist nursing, respite and bereavement care for terminally ill and life limited children and their families. They can give care in a family’s own home, where they feel most safe.
£22,000 will provide nearly 400 hours of specialist nursing care for the children Jessie May support.
Lloyd Kembrey, who ran the London Marathon in aid of Jessie May as part of his 12 challenges in a year, has raised more than £8000, and it’s only April! In addition to his running success, he has also done a triathlon and an ice marathon.
James Toft is proud to have completed the challenge.
“I knew the training would be a challenge, but didn’t realise how much it would take over my life… It’s been very demanding, but occasionally rewarding.… I managed to run [The London Marathon] and it was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. It’s been an amazing experience, and I’d like to thank all my friends and family that have supported me along the way.”
Emily Dye from long-time Jessie May supporters Blackstar Communications got her place in The London Marathon in 2023 through the ballot.
“It was my fourth year of entering, and I nearly fell out of my chair when I found out I was in. I knew right away I wanted to run for a charity.
I know Jessie May through my employer, Blackstar Solutions. We have looked after Jessie May’s telephony needs since 2016. We like to be involved with the charities we look after, through fundraising and volunteering. Huge thanks to my colleagues at Blackstar for their support through sponsorship, sharing my fundraising story, and well wishes. This was especially motivating in the gritty miles, when all I wanted to do was stop.
Running the London Marathon for Jessie May was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s an emotional day to begin with, but even more so knowing every step you’re taking is helping families in your area. I was nearly in tears running down The Mall into the finish. If you haven’t entered the ballot for 2024 yet – do it!! It was a bucket-list experience, made all the better by being part of Team Jessie.”
Kim James Coggins, Community Engagement Fudraising Officer for Jessie May, was in London to support them:
“It was a chilly damp day, but as soon as I saw our runners charging past in their Jessie May tops with enormous smiles on their faces, I forgot the weather. I know each and every one of our runners have their own reasons for supporting our wonderful charity, and I admire them so much for what they have all achieved. It took them months of training and sacrifice for them to be ready for the London Marathon 2023. We were all in tears when they made it over the line. Thanks guys, we are so proud of you!”
“Our amazing runners are already thinking about their next sporty challenge in aid of Jessie May in 2024. That is such dedication, we can’t wait to see what they all do next year!”
