THIS year, a team of fourteen will be tackling the world-famous London Marathon in aid of local charity, St Clare Hospice. On Sunday 23^rd April they will represent the Hastingwood-based hospice at the UK’s largest marathon on the 26.2 mile route through the capital.

Eight of the runners received Gold Bond places for this year’s London Marathon and were chosen by St Clare from a host of applicants all vying to run for Team St Clare. Six additional runners chose to run in aid of the Hospice after securing their own place through the ballot. They have already raised a combined total of more than £17,500 for the Hospice.

Competing with Team St Clare are:

Nik Bowerbank (38, Harlow)

https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/nik-bowerbank

Adam Green (29, London)

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-green-93

Amongst those running for Team St Clare are Chris Shaw (37 years from Kedington), Head of Customer Services at Weston Homes, who is taking on the challenge of completing four marathons in two months – having already run the Hampton Court Half and Brighton Marathon.

After the London Marathon he will then compete in the Hackney Half and the Edinburgh Marathon in May. Chris has already raised over £3,000 in sponsorship.

Chris Shaw (37, Kedington)

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Chris-Shaw46

Joe Stapleton (35, Thaxted)
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Joe-Stapleton4

Claire Bodiam (50, Ongar)

Also taking on the challenge is Claire Bodiam (50 years from Ongar) who is running in memory of her father, Robert Bowers, who was cared for by St Clare Hospice in 2017. Claire is also running the marathon to mark her 50^th birthday! Claire has smashed her £2,000 target and has already raised over £3,600.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Claire-Bodiam2

Mark Nicholas (St Albans)
https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/mark-nicholas

Anthony Gafney (Braintree)

https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/anthony-gafney

Victoria Cousins (49, Harlow)
https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/victoria-cousins

Catherine Hines 
https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/catherine-hines

Another pair taking part are best friends, Jo Bird (63 years from Highams Park) and Karen Ritchie (57 years from Chingford) who are running in memory of Jo’s husband, Adrian Bird, who died at St Clare Hospice in 2019. The pair have raised over £3,000 so far.

Karen commented: “Back in October we decided, after a bottle of wine, to try for a ballot place in the London Marathon, not thinking for one moment either of us would get one. Well surprise, surprise we both got offered a place – it was obviously meant to be. Since then we have been training diligently despite the ice, snow and both our beloved Mums passing away, we have kept on going.”

Karen continued, “We have chosen to support St Clare Hospice where Jo’s husband, Adrian, spent his final two weeks of life, four years ago. This marvellous charity deserves every thanks possible.”

Jo Bird (63, Highams Park)
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karenjomarathon

Karen Ritchie (57, Chingford)

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karenjomarathon

Nick Barker (Epping)
http://www.justgiving.com/Nick-Barker21  

Shakeel Khan (52, Ilford)
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shakeel-khanx

Sam Segameglio

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sam-Segameglio1

St Clare Hospice’s Relationship Fundraising Manager, Ellie Gale, said: “The sheer commitment of Team St Clare makes us swell with pride – they are so brave, and so dedicated to helping raise vital funding to go towards the Hospice’s care for local people and their families.

Competing in the London Marathon, a world-famous race renowned for its atmosphere and prestige, is such a special way to support St Clare, as well as being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The fact that our thirteen participants have chosen to dedicate this experience to raising funds for St Clare means the world to us. We wish them the absolute best of luck! Thank you, Team St Clare!”

If you didn’t get a chance to run in this year’s London Marathon, why not take on the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October? It is the ‘best half’ of the London Marathon, taking in all the historic sites, and you can get a place with Team St Clare now.

Find out more at stclarehospice.org.uk/event/royal-parks-half-marathon/or contact the team on 01279 773750