Our runners are wonderful – their amazing support, commitment and dedication is phenomenal, they raise thousands of pounds for our care and they each have emotional, uplifting and incredible stories to tell.
Running a marathon is no mean feat and while some of them may be seasoned runners, others are first-timers. But all of them are spurred on by one thing – the care we provided for their loved ones when they needed it most.
Each of them committed to hit their fundraising target for us and they will be doing this in the run-up to marathon day in a number of ways from sponsorship to donations, quizzes, raffles, match-funding and events. There really has been no stopping the imaginative ways they will be chasing those final figures.
Incredible
Each year, we are blown away by the incredible people who volunteer their time and energy to train, whatever the weather, for one of the greatest marathons on earth.
They have shared their stories with us: sit back, grab a cuppa and read on to learn all about our marvellous marathon runners, why they are running and how they will hit their fundraising targets.
Proud
Being part of #teamsevernhospice means as much to them as it does to us and we are so proud when we see them, on national television sporting their Severn Hospice running vests, as they pound the streets of the capital city and complete the 26.2-mile course.
Commitment
Undertaking a marathon is huge, not just for the runners but for their friends, families and supporters who we know will be with them every step of the way.
You can help them on their fundraising journeys, as they take their first steps towards the finishing line on The Mall in London.
Rachel: I’m running in memory of my auntie, Sue Spence, who was like a mum to me.
As a family we will be forever grateful to the hospice for making her last days as comfortable as possible and allowing us to spend as much time as we could with her.
We would all like to give a little something back to the hospice and raise funds so another family can receive the care and support that’s needed for them too.
I have a great family support team who are sharing my link, helping to organise a charity/family funday and several male members of the family are getting their legs waxed if they receive donations too.
I have been running for five years and over time become a regular runner. I participate in many races, representing Nantwich Running Club.
I completed a marathon in April 2024 and the training is mentally and physically exhausting and the marathon itself gets tough around 18 miles. I know London will be tough too not only is it 26.2 miles but I am also running in Sue’s memory. I just hope we are all making her proud with what we are doing…
Kerry: I am privileged to be running the London Marathon in memory of my younger brother, Steve, who passed away in May 2024.
Though I ran a marathon two decades ago, I am far from being a seasoned runner—but I’m determined to become one! Currently, most of my training happens on a treadmill, but I’m looking forward to hitting the pavement for longer runs, with my boys in tow!
The marathon is a real personal challenge for me and by next April, I hope to be a fitter and healthier version of myself, and I’m excited to make my family proud.
On race day, I plan to soak up every second of the atmosphere, though I fully anticipate it will be an emotional day, as it falls on what would have been my brother’s 41st birthday. However I’m certain Steve will be with me every step of the way and as I cross that finish line.
I am fuelled by a desire to give back to Severn Hospice, ensuring that other families can receive the same compassionate support we did. Fundraising is already in full swing; I’ve held a successful silent auction and a bingo night. My family and friends have been incredibly supportive, doing everything they can to help me reach my goal.
Finley: I have chosen to run for Severn Hospice to say thank you for the incredible care they provided to my nan.
They went above and beyond in helping to give my nan her wish that her end-of-life care took place at home. Our family will forever be grateful to the hospice staff for being kind and compassionate, ensuring her final months were as comfortable as possible.
Not only am I running for in memory my nan but also to help all the families in the future who find themselves in the same unfortunate situation.
I started running in September 2023 and slowly built up the distance over time until I did my first half marathon in May 2024. So a full marathon felt like the next logical step! But I didn’t think I’d get the chance to run London so soon.
I plan to put on a charity gig. I have asked local schools to see if they would be interested in holding non-uniform days on my behalf with the all the money going towards fundraising for Severn Hospice. And of course, spreading the word on social media.
I feel privileged to be given a chance to run the London Marathon. I’ve heard the atmosphere round the course is unbelievable and I can’t wait to experience it. It’s going to be tough especially during the long winter training runs but reminding myself the reason I’m running for will help get me over the finish line in April, I’m sure.
Brynley: This will be my second London Marathon as part of #teamsevernhospice, after running in 2023.
The hospice is so very important to my family and myself. They cared for my late father-in-law Mal at Apley during the last parts of his life, and in 2022 the wonderful hospice at home team provided amazing support in my home during the final stages of my grandfather’s life. We’ve supported the hospice for many years, my wife Sarah is senior housekeeper at Apley, and it’s an absolute privilege to be part of the marathon team once again.
Running has been a big part of my life over the last few years. Training for and running marathons, although very challenging, has had such a positive impact on me, both mentally and physically. I’ll be aiming to run five times a week, mostly alone but I’m sure some of my running friends will join for a few miles every now and then.
As part of my fundraising, I will be offering corporate sponsor packages, as I have in the past, and putting together a silent auction.
I’m running in memory of my grandad Keith and father-in-Law Mal and championing all the great work the hospice does in supporting families during life’s most difficult moments.
Craig: It is, without doubt, one of the greatest privileges in my life to represent the hospice at the 2025 London Marathon.
An avid but inexperienced runner, the chance to take part in this world renowned event is a genuine once in a lifetime opportunity.
I live near the hospice in Telford and often run past it. We are very lucky to have such a support facility near us so I run because it is a chance to support an amazing local charity that is so important to the community where I call home.
I watched my nan be cared for, have witnessed the huge support given to friends and friends of friends but it is my mum, who passed at the start of June this year who I will be thinking about both during and after the marathon. The hospice enabled my mum to pass peacefully at home, just as she wanted, and I am so very grateful for every phone call and every bit of advice the hospice gave.
Running the marathon isn’t just about the run itself but its about the journey to that run. I am dreading the running and I am far from an accomplished athlete. My running started with Couch to 5K and I haven’t looked back since. 26 miles is a very different prospect but once in the groove and thinking about why I’m doing this, I know it will see me through.
Alongside the running is the myriad of fundraising we all need to do. I’m focused on getting sponsorship and will happily sell body parts for advertising space – I’ll even get a tattoo if someone pays enough!
I’m lucky to work for one of the biggest tech firms on the planet so I’m able to advertise my journey to many people across the world. Add to this the local coffee morning, bake sales and car boots that my wife and four children are looking forward to doing with me and I aim to smash right through my target.
I love the freedom of running and after working in London for a number of years, I cannot wait to run the streets I have often walked around. I don’t want to stop there though – there are so many amazing cities which host marathons and I hope the buzz I get from London will push me to do Edinburgh and then, if I’m really lucky, New York but let’s get London done first, raise a fantastic amount of money for the Severn Hospice and share their name across the world.
Christie: Running the London Marathon has always been a dream of mine.
Being on the support team for a friend running the marathon in 2023, inspired me along with the thousands of other runners with a charity place and made me even more determined to fulfil my dream.
I will be immensely proud to wear the Severn Hospice gold vest knowing my dad, my hero, will be with me every step of the way.
As I don’t live close I am unable to volunteer but I knew that I would support the hospice for the rest of my life. In 2018 I took part in the hospice 10,000 ft skydive and raised £1300 for the charity. At my 50th birthday party this year, friends and family donated to the hospice instead of buying me a gift which was really special.
My dad had the most incredible care for the last two weeks of his life. My family will always be eternally grateful for the incredible level of care, compassion and dignity and respect given to him.
In January 2017, my incredibly brave dad, Ken Jones was diagnosed with cancer. Our lives were turned upside down when we realised it was incurable. He never once complained and accepted his fate with bravery and courage and spent the next 10 months of his life making long lasting memories with family.
I started my training in September and am building up the miles slowly each week. I view the Hospice green t-shirt as my uniform and wear it with pride every time I head out for a run. I am using the gym for my strength training along with swimming.
I have a dedicated JustGiving page and am truly humbled by the generosity of my friends and family. I am selling various clothes from my wardrobe on eBay which my husband is also pleased about! I am donating a percentage of sales to my JustGiving page each month. I have some wonderful friends who have offered to organise a charity quiz night and I am also planning on organising a charity golf day too. The school I work for is going to organise a Bake Sale and I am sure there will be other activities along the way! I am also keen to organise some corporate sponsorship too.
Jason: It will be an absolute privilege running down the Mall in my Severn Hospice vest.
In 2020 I lost my dad (lovingly known as Trunce) to cancer. He had been cared for by my truly incredible mum for almost a year.
On the day that he passed he was transferred to Bicton Heath and spent his final hours being cared for by the amazing staff. The nurses were simply incredible, and we all felt very much at peace as did Dad when he was there. The care and facilities they provide are quite simply incredible. Nothing was too much trouble and its obvious that each and every staff member takes pride in working for the Severn Hospice.
This will be my second marathon – the first one I completed in 2024 on my 55th birthday – ouch! It was couch to marathon and not couch to 5k! A complete non-runner previously…well not since my late teens and I seem to have caught the bug.
It will be an absolute privilege running down the Mall in my Severn Hospice vest. Trunce will certainly be looking over me on 27 April 2025
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could run 26.2 miles whilst suffering with asthma and COPD.
I hope that anyone who reads this, will be inspired to help fundraise for Severn Hospice too.
So, since running the London Marathon this year I have carried on with running 1 – 3 times per week, but that will increase to 5 times per week once the 18-week marathon training plan starts which will be commencing 23 December… snow, rain cold and dark nights – I must be mad!! But it’s all worth it to raise vital funds for Severn Hospice which is my motivation to do this.
I will be training with friends, family and the boss (my future wife Liz) who ran the London Marathon for Severn Hospice this year. She will keep me on track and is the inspiration for me to run the London Marathon for charity.
So there it is… I’m running the London Marathon for a fabulous charity that is Severn Hospice and I am so proud of this opportunity to do so.
Simone: Severn Hospice became my mum’s sanctuary
I am absolutely honoured to have been selected as one of the representatives to run London Marathon 2025 for the Severn Hospice!
On 30 December 2023 heaven gained an angel, after my gorgeous, amazing and inspirational mumma bear fell asleep after a seven year battle with cancer.
I refuse to say that she lost her battle, because people who knew Sharron knew that cancer never once defined her or her life and she fought against it right until the very last day.
My mum was the definition of the word unstoppable and took advantage of every single day; she lived life to the fullest.
During my mum’s last few months, Severn Hospice became her sanctuary. It was her safe place, her home from home and the incredible nurses and doctors who worked there became her family. After a challenging stay at a care home, mum was moved to the hospice, which is where I truly believe she felt safe and happy enough to say goodbye.
I can safely say she loved the hospice and the people there loved her.
I got in to running after mum encouraged me during lockdown (begrudgingly at first!) to go with her to break up the days.
My mum was a fantastic runner, completing London Marathon three times as well as various other long distance running events. She truly inspires me to this day: to push yourself out of your comfort zone and grab every single opportunity life presents.
That’s why I am truly over the moon to be able to run for such an incredible charity that Severn Hospice is and follow in her footsteps by running London Marathon next year.
I could never give enough back to the hospice to thank them for how they cared for my mum, cared for my whole family and made each of us feel safe during an incredibly scary, traumatic time. It would mean the absolute world to me and to my mum, if you could contribute anything, no matter how big or small, to giving back and saying thank you to the hospice for everything they do.
Sarah: The hospice means a great to me both on a personal and professional level.
In 2021 I had already decided to run and raise funds for the Severn Hospice but was too late to apply for the London Marathon 2022 place so had decided to run the Chester Marathon instead. In 2022, I was fortunate to become employed as the ward sister on Alexandra Ward at the Severn Hospice, in Apley.
Severn Hospice means a great to me both on a personal and professional level.
We were introduced to Severn Hospice in 2013 when my father-in-law, John, was admitted to Bicton for end-of-life care. His last two weeks of life were full of laughter and tears, the focus on care, comfort and quality of life for John was at the forefront of all the hospice professionals.
So, my motivation stems from the people, their stories and families we have the privilege to look after and combining that with watching the London Marathon on TV, I really wanted to take part again. I wanted to get fit, and I needed to lose excess pounds, this was the incentive and the motivation I needed to do it.
This will be my second London Marathon representing the hospice and with the support of my family, especially training with my two sons. I am really looking forward to the challenge, especially training through those cold, wet winter months.
My fundraising will come from my JustGiving page, donations collected from bucket collections, fundraising scratch cards and sponsors adding names to each mile I run displayed on the back of my running shirt.
