WE’VE GOT OUR RUNNER
For the very first time, we’ve got a charity place for the re-scheduled date of Sunday 3rd October 2021.
Dan White – not only a great friend & supporter of the charity, but also the guy who ran a triple marathon for us back in 2019, once said: “I’m seriously never going to do this again as I suspect it will nearly kill me!”. Although this one may be a little shorter than his last pursuit – here he is again, and not just running any old marathon for us, but one of the most prestigious in the world. The Virgin Money London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet – since it began in 1981 participants have raised more than £1 billion for good causes.
Dan’s story:
A few years ago my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia at the age of 63, just months after the death of her mother at the hands of the same disease. Since then she, and my Dad, have been hugely supported by Susanna at Living Words and by the Hythe Dementia Awareness Forum. Amongst other things, Susanna has spent a lot of time talking with my Mum about her memories, her life, and all the amazing things she has done. She has collated that into a book so that while mum’s memory slowly fades, those precious memories are not lost. The Hythe Dementia Awareness Forum has also been a huge support to my parents as they have grappled with how to get support and from where. Thank you to all of you – knowing Mum and Dad are well supported within their local community is enormously reassuring to me and my brothers.
In 2019 I ran from my house in London to my parent’s house in Hythe in Kent, which was 121 kilometres, a little under three marathons. The aim was to do it in one go, in one day, with stops for food, changes of clothes etc, but otherwise, one continuous effort. With the help of many, many people running with me, and supporting me along the way, I managed it in around 16 and half hours, raising over £6,000 for Living Words and the Hythe Dementia Forum.
It was an incredible experience, quite hard, but well worth it.
Dan’s 2021 charity running reboot
In 2021 I feel extremely privileged to have been asked by Living Words to run in the London Marathon to raise money for the amazing work they do. Training is coming along and I’m looking forward to completing a charity run for Living Words that doesn’t involve eating three meals during it!
For 2021:
In 2021, Dan aims to raise £2000 for us in the Virgin Money London Marathon, and not just for us – but his mum too who is still somebody very close to our charity. In June, for instance, Glynnis & Bob took part in a Q&A with Bafta and Oscar-winning producer David Parfitt, to talk about their lived experiences in context with the newly released Oscar-winning film ‘The Father’, which Living Words produced to be screened at Folkestone Cinema.
We’ll be with you every step of the way Dan. Thank you.
Stay tuned for training updates, and more on Dan’s story, HERE.
Download Press Release: PRESS_RELEASE_LONDON_MARATHON_FINAL
Marathon Date: Sunday 3rd October 2021
Fundraising Target: £2000
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US
Dan will be running for all those affected by a dementias across the country, and their loved ones; for all of us who experience mental health challenges, we know there are many of us feeling it right now. He’ll also be running for the small charities, like us, who have fought to keep going through all of this…so we can reach the brighter times, together.