My Story

Last year my Mum, Liz Searle, ran the London Marathon, but she got pulled off the course at mile 19. We did not know it at the time, but she had secondary cancer in her bones with a broken rib and a fractured vertebra. She was courageous and kind during her last few months and she died aged 78 on the 29th Dec 2021. Just a few short months after running 19 incredible miles of the London Marathon.

Mum's last marathon was her tenth. Several times during the previous ten years, I have had the privilege of running with her and my brother Tim. Every time she raised money for Hospiscare, the grand total over the years was £86,000. Donations at her funeral took the total to £92,000.** 

The Hospice in Exeter was started by my Mum and Dad with many friends when I was a teenager. It was the team from Hospiscare that helped us all look after Mum in the last precious weeks we had with her. She has now crossed the finish line and received her crown.

This year I am running for Mum and raising money for Hospiscare in Exeter. But somehow I am going try and make it even more special by completing Mum's last 7 miles as well, either on the day or maybe the preceding week.

I have set the target for this years fundraising at £2000, but it would be even better if we could get Mum's total to £100,000, so that's a total of about £8,000**.

Thanks for reading this. Give us a thought, a prayer or donation to Mum's charity - Hospiscare.

Let's make every moment precious.

Thank you in advance, Mark.

*the banner picture is from mile 6 at the London marathon 2021. Mum being cheered on by Dad, her loyal supporter.

**Mum's fundraising figures updated (Aug 22) to 86k + funeral donations making the total raised 92k and the new target an additional 8k to get us to 100k.