Essex Runners Take on London Marathon for Hospital Charity
First-time participants and seasoned veterans from Essex are gearing up to conquer the world's most famous marathon course, all in support of local hospitals. The Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity is set to benefit from their incredible efforts, with runners aiming to raise more than £18,000 for wards and departments across Basildon, Southend, and Broomfield hospitals.
Clair Dade, fundraising co-ordinator for the charity, expressed deep gratitude: "Together, these inspiring runners are hoping to raise over £18,000 for wards and departments across Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals, and we can't thank them, and everyone supporting them, enough. The funds raised will make a real difference for our patients and the departments where they receive their care."
Joe's Milestone 20th Marathon for Cancer Services
This year holds special significance for Joe, who is preparing to run his 20th consecutive London Marathon. Having supported numerous charities over the years, he has chosen to dedicate this milestone run to cancer services, a cause deeply personal to his family. Joe has lost loved ones to cancer, including his auntie, who was one of his biggest running supporters, and several friends and family members have faced diagnoses in recent years.
"Running for a cause so close to our hearts means everything," Joe said. He hopes to raise £10,000 this year, which would bring his overall London Marathon fundraising total to an impressive £100,000 for various good causes. Joe's commitment to running is remarkable, training every single day at 5am—a routine he's maintained for over a decade—fitting in 10 miles before work. Supported wholeheartedly by his wife, he logged more than 5,000 miles last year.
Joe also holds two Guinness World Records, for running the fastest time wearing a three-piece suit and the fastest time dressed as a boxer. He has completed more than 50 marathons worldwide, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, Athens, Italy, and Paris, but says London is the best. "The support you get from the London crowds is magnificent; it gives me goose bumps just talking about it. It is like nothing I have ever experienced. The support is simply unrivalled compared with anywhere else in the world," he shared.
Inspiring First-Timers and Their Causes
Jake Slade from Southend, Business Admin Support for Hospital@Home at Southend Hospital, is running his very first marathon. With 18 years of service at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, he is raising funds for the Hospital@Home and Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy service, which provides care to patients in their own homes or local clinics. Inspired by his colleagues' incredible care, Jake began running three years ago to improve his health, losing nearly four stone along the way.
Dr Oliver Broderick Basar from Wickford, an Emergency Department doctor at Basildon Hospital, will run in memory of his grandad, raising funds for the Basildon Renal and Dialysis unit. He first took up running during lockdown, transforming his fitness and developing a passion for the sport. "Running for the team who supported my grandad with such kindness makes this challenge incredibly special. It feels like my way of giving back," Oliver said.
Miles Harmsworth from London is tackling his first marathon to support the Children's Burns Club at Broomfield Hospital, inspired by his mum's nursing career and his volunteering experience. "The Burns Club offers something equally vital to the hospital's medical care, a community where these children can simply be themselves," Miles explained.
Peter Newman from Leigh-on-Sea is running his eighth marathon and second London Marathon, supporting the Butterfly Suite at Southend Hospital in memory of his baby daughter, Tilly. Maggie Gallagher from Leigh-on-Sea is running for Southend's Chemotherapy unit, where her mum, Jules, has received treatment for stage 4 cancer since 2013.
Tips from a Seasoned Runner
As a seasoned marathon runner, Joe offered advice for first-timers: "The first thing I would say is, enjoy it. The first time is the best experience and is also the only time you won't have another time to beat. Enjoy the course, the crowd and just being a part of it. Secondly, run your own race. It's so easy to start off quickly, but you won't enjoy the second half if you have run too fast in the first. Your pace will go up a bit but know your own pace from all your training. And finally, even if you don't feel like having water or Lucozade at the time, take it when it is offered as it will really help you along the way."
These runners exemplify the spirit of community and dedication, using their passion for running to make a tangible difference in the lives of patients across Essex hospitals.
