TV Producer from Reading to Run London Marathon in Tribute to Late Father
A television producer who grew up in Reading is gearing up to conquer the streets of London in this year's TCS London Marathon. Joe Allen, aged 37, is undertaking the iconic 26.2-mile challenge as a heartfelt tribute to his beloved father, Roger, who passed away in 2018. This endeavor serves as Joe's way of expressing gratitude to the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice for the extraordinary care they provided during a difficult period.
A Journey Through Palliative Care and Family Support
Roger Allen was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016, which later metastasized to his lungs, bones, and brain. After he suffered a stroke during treatment, the family was introduced to the concept of palliative care and the invaluable support offered by the hospice. Joe recalled, "Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice was mentioned, and brilliantly for us all, they had a place for Dad. I think what really blew my mind at that point is, well, who's paying for this? How does that work? But I didn’t ask many more questions because at that moment, we were just grateful for the support."
The transition to the hospice allowed the family to find peace and a slower pace amidst turmoil. Joe emphasized, "I honestly don’t know where we would have been without the hospice. The comfort of knowing someone was there 24 hours a day — not just anyone, but people who genuinely cared — meant everything." Importantly, this support enabled Joe's mother to shift from being a primary carer back to focusing on her role as a wife. Joe noted, "Mum went from being Dad’s carer back to being his wife again. Dad developed a relationship with the people who looked after him. He trusted them, and he wasn't a man who gave his trust away easily."
A Bittersweet Final Moment and a Call to Action
When the time came, the family was able to be by Roger's bedside, which Joe described as a "bittersweet" but comfortable final moment. He said, "We were all there at the end, by his bedside, and that gave us huge comfort. It’s never easy, but you couldn’t have pictured those final moments better for us, if it had to happen, that’s how we would have wanted it to be." Motivated by gratitude for the donation-funded service, Joe decided to give back by running the marathon.
Although his father was a talented sprinter in his youth, Joe admits he is not a regular runner and last completed a marathon 15 years ago. He explained, "I've run on and off, and I ran the London Marathon 15 years ago, but not another since. I just felt like this was the right time to do it – it will probably be my last one." The training has been an emotional journey, especially as Joe is set to get married just months after the race. He shared, "Knowing Dad won’t be there, will be on my mind, but training for the marathon has given me time to really think about him a lot throughout the year, to keep him involved as I'm getting ready for the wedding, as well as for the marathon."
Fundraising Success and Personal Connections
So far, Joe has raised an impressive £5,800, surpassing his initial expectations. He remarked, "I’ve raised around £5,800 so far, which is beyond anything I ever imagined. What’s surprised me most is how many people have read my story and said, ‘I have been there. I know what it’s like.’ I don’t think people talk about death and grief enough, so it’s good that some people have felt they could reach out." On race day, he will be cheered on by his mother, partner Simon, and siblings.
To power through the final stretch, Joe plans to play a special family anthem. He said, "For the last seven minutes of the run, I'm going to put on the song that Dad and I used to love the most, Bohemian Rhapsody. We used to sing it every single Christmas around the dining room table, doing air guitar. It's become a bit of a family anthem that we sing whenever we're together. I’ll be thinking of Dad every step of the way."
