A runner is taking on the TCS London Marathon to raise funds for the hospice that cared for her late grandfather during the final stages of his life.
Lauren Hadley, from Hartford, visited her grandfather Roy Bezodis when he was admitted to Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire.
He passed away from lung cancer in 2019 – and Lauren now wants to give something back to the “amazing” cause that looked after him.
She said: “Every time we visited grandad, the hospice staff were amazing.
“They were so giving, so kind, and nothing was ever too much or any trouble.
“My grandfather was a huge airplane enthusiast and the hospice backed on to an airfield and he would tell us about the planes.
“There was also a Koi carp pond and beautiful gardens.
“I couldn’t believe we didn’t have to pay anything for this incredible service."
Lauren applied to take part in the 2020 London Marathon days after he passed away and secured a place running for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The event was cancelled that year because of Covid and Lauren’s own health problems meant she only managed to take part last year.
She managed to cross the finish line and this time around wanted to help the cause that delivered her grandfather’s care.
To top up her London Marathon fundraising efforts for Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, she is also organising a charity race night at the Ivy Leaf Club, in St Ives.
Lauren has paid for a professional company to run the night, which will take place on Friday, May 10, 2024. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Tickets are £5 and are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/charityracenight
TCS London Marathon 2024 will take place on April 21. To sponsor Lauren, visit her JustGiving page at https://shorturl.at/pHQ14
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