A London Marathon runner will be raising vital funds for cancer research this weekend in memory of her father, a well-known community figure in Newbury and Lambourn. Jo Barratt will be running for The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), a world-leading research institute and charity.
Jo, 47, lives in London with her eight-year-old daughter Maggie and runs a Forest School business, providing holiday camps and sessions for nurseries and schools. Her father David, who managed Lady Eliza May-Smith's farm and gallops in Lambourn, had lived in the Newbury area for 35 years. He passed away soon after being diagnosed with renal cancer in June last year.
Jo said: "He was very well-known in the Newbury area. He was the chairman of Newbury Bridge Club and had been vice-president of Newbury Rugby Club. He was a governor at John O Gaunt School in Hungerford." David also ran the Brighton marathon when he was 60. "Dad was a farmer," Jo said, "a six-foot-three rugby player and not a runner in any shape or form, but he ran it."
"I've always been into sport, but wouldn't describe myself as a runner. I did run the marathon 24 years ago, but when Dad passed, I knew I wanted to do it again, in his honour. This time, it's to raise money for cancer research and make him proud."
"Dad was snorkelling in the Red Sea seven and a half weeks before he died. He came back with a bit of a cough, was feeling breathless, and it deteriorated very quickly. By the time he saw a doctor properly, they saw something on his lungs and sent him for further scans and tests. He was diagnosed with renal cancer, but it had already spread to his lungs, bones and liver. He died before the proper results of the biopsy came back."
"Dad was a very practical man, which is why I chose to run the Marathon for the ICR. He was a massive believer in science and the power of how that could help people. I read about everything that the Institute of Cancer Research has done, the amazing scientists there and how they're finding new discoveries in-house. It felt like the right charity."
Training is going well, and so far Jo has raised an impressive £6,261. "The way I raised the majority of this money was through a ball I ran at Christmas. We raised £4,600 and 95 people came along! It was a lot of hard work but a great way to raise money. At the event itself, I did a speech about ICR as well, and paid tribute to my dad. It was a lovely evening."
Jo is looking forward to the race on Sunday, April 26, where she will be cheered on by her daughter Maggie, who is already planning her outfit – an ICR top. Rachael Potter, Sports and Challenge Events Officer, said: "We're incredibly grateful for the support of Jo and all of our #teamICR runners taking part in this year's London Marathon. Training for a marathon while fundraising is a huge commitment, and we continue to be inspired by the determination and passion shown by our supporters. We hope Jo and all our runners feel motivated knowing they are helping to make a real difference for people affected by cancer. Every pound raised helps drive our research forward, and every mile brings us closer to a future where cancer can be defeated."
To support Jo, visit her fundraiser for The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) at https://www.justgiving.com/page/doingitfordad. Location: Newbury, West Berkshire.
