Newark Sisters to Run London Marathon in Tribute to Late Father, Supporting Hospice
Two sisters from Newark, Melissa Anstey and Louise Tucker, are preparing to run the London Marathon in a heartfelt tribute to their late father, Richard, who completed the same race in 1982. Their journey is driven by a desire to raise funds for Beaumond House Hospice Care, a local charity that provided crucial support to their family during a profoundly difficult period.
Inspired by a Cherished Photograph
The sisters were inspired after discovering a photograph of their father crossing the finish line of the London Marathon forty-five years ago. Richard completed the marathon in just over four hours, a feat that now symbolizes his perseverance and strength for Melissa and Louise. This image has become a powerful motivator, reminding them of his determination and spirit as they embark on their own marathon challenge.
Melissa expressed, "Finding a photo of our dad crossing the finish line of the London Marathon, which he completed in just over four hours, reminded us of his perseverance and inspired us to take on the challenge. He ran the marathon before we were even born, but the photograph has become a powerful symbol for us of his strength, spirit and determination."
Support from Beaumond House Hospice
In 1995, when Melissa was six and Louise was nine years old, their father Richard was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Beaumond House Hospice stepped in to provide day care support, allowing the family to spend precious time together during his illness. The hospice also offered complementary therapies, such as massages, to support their mother and helped the sisters understand their loss through memory books, which they still cherish today.
Louise added, "Training together has been great - Melissa and I make each other laugh when we can see that we need a pick-me-up. The longer training runs are getting hard now, but we are making each one a community event, asking people to come out and cheer us on - or feed us sweets to keep us going!"
Training and Community Support
The sisters have embarked on a rigorous twenty-week training plan after completing three half marathons in 2025. Running together has kept them motivated, with friends, family, and local community members cheering them on throughout their preparation. They have turned their training sessions into community events, fostering a sense of solidarity and encouragement.
Caroline Swindin, head of fundraising at Beaumond House, said, "We are incredibly grateful to Melissa and Louise for choosing to support Beaumond House in such a meaningful way. Their story is truly inspiring and we’re all rooting for them as they prepare to run their first marathon. The care and support we provide is only possible thanks to the dedication of our supporters and fundraisers, like Melissa and Louise."
Fundraising Efforts and Goals
Melissa and Louise have set an ambitious fundraising target of £5,000 for Beaumond House Hospice Care. So far, they have raised over £3,000 through a series of events supported by local businesses and community supporters. Every pound raised contributes to the hospice's mission of providing compassionate, personalized care to patients and families in need.
The London Marathon is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 26. Melissa reflected, "To be able to follow in his footsteps and run that same race, 30 years on, in aid of the hospice that supported us through such a life-defining time, will be incredibly special."
