We were very privileged to have some incredible supporters taking on the world's most iconic half marathon on Sunday 8 September to raise funds for Willow Burn Hospice.
We are honoured to share some of our fundraisers inspiring stories as we send our special thanks for taking on this incredible challenge for their local hospice.
This is Emma's Story...
"I'm running the GNR this year in memory of my amazing dad.
He was so mentally strong throughout his life, in particular in the past 5 years that he was ill with bowel cancer. He took everything thrown at him in his stride and he had such a positive attitude.
I so wish this had been enough to beat the awful illness he had, however sadly it wasn't and he lost his brave fight in September 2023.
Due to the many complications that he had experienced, he was too poorly to be managed safely at home. We very much didn't want him in hospital so to have the option of Willow Burn was such a help.
From the minute he arrived until after he died, he had the most incredible care.
All the staff from the nurses to the volunteers in the café are just phenomenal. They treated us as a family so kindly and were such brilliant advocates for my dad and with my mum too, who did struggle emotionally with the whole process.
When the time came, in his sleep one night, I can't put into words how amazing their care was. When we came to see him shortly after, he looked immaculately clean and most importantly to us, at peace and not suffering as he had been suffering at times in the weeks before.
I'll never ever forget the positive experience we had in such a difficult time in our lives so I am so happy to be running this tough run to raise money for this incredible place in the memory of my incredible dad."
