A man with one lung and the mother of a woman who lost her battle to cancer are some of the East Lancashire people running the London Marathon today (April 21)
A Clitheroe firefighter is set to run the 26.2-mile long race in full kit, along with a woman who is running in memory of a man from Blackburn who died of cancer.
Richard Few, from Clitheroe, will be running with only one lung. In 2008, he went to the hospital thinking he had a chest infection but was told that his lung had actually collapsed.
Richard, who is a member of Clitheroe Rugby Club, said he will have to keep a close check on his heart rate.
He said: “The way I would describe [how it feels to run with one lung] is like running with a face mask on, it’s a little harder to breathe but it’s nothing I can’t handle as long as I reduce my pace to recover.
“I am not aiming for a set time but I think I will finish it in around five hours.”
He is running to raise awareness of lung conditions – and show anyone with one that they too can run a marathon.
Richard, 40, said: “Before six months ago I had never run further than 10K.
"I always watched the London Marathon on television and thought it looked amazing.
“I never thought of myself as someone who would run a marathon. When this opportunity came up I decided to take it. I thought I would give it a go to try and prove myself wrong.
“I am running for Asthma and Lung UK, a charity which is close to me because of my lung condition. I am also doing this to raise awareness and show people that you can still run a marathon with a lung condition.”
Richard is accepting donations via his JustGiving page.
Richard isn’t the only East Lancashire person hoping to cross the London Marathon finish line.
Nicola Nuttall, mother of Laura Nuttall, is also putting on her running trainers.
Nicola is running for The Brain Tumour Charity, which Laura advocated for during her life.
She said: “We were supported by the charity throughout her diagnosis.
"Running the marathon allows us to give something back and to help raise awareness of the charity and of the fact that brain tumours are still the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.”
This will be Nicola’s 21st marathon and she says it will be “emotional”.
She said: “The last couple of times I've run London, Laura has been out on the course supporting me, so it will be emotional to run it without her there to cheer me on but I know that she'd be happy to see us continuing our work with the charity that was so important to her.”
Nicola has created a special tutu, which she will be wearing during the run. It contains the names of people who have died due to brain tumours.
“Unfortunately half of those have died in that time, this year I'm wearing the names of family members lost to brain tumours, most of which I know but some have contacted me via X [formerly known as Twitter] and it's a real honour to wear their names and take them with me on the course.
“Alongside the work with The Brain Tumour Charity and Brain Tumour Research, we have set up the BeMoreLaura foundation to help fund research specifically into glioblastoma, we've sold t-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, and tote bags and so far have made pledges totalling £85,000. You can visit our website at: www.bemorelaura.com.”
Miles Dronby, an on-call firefighter at Clitheroe with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, is running to raise awareness of the work firefighters do every day and of the support available to them through The Fire Fighters Charity.
The charity supports serving and retired fire and rescue service personnel, their dependants, and other eligible members of the UK fire services community, throughout their lives, helping them to live happier and healthier.
Miles said: “I’ve chosen to participate in full fire kit for The Fire Fighters Charity as I’ve had close friends affected by traumatic incidents and understand the importance of the support they provide within the service, should it need to be accessed.
“I’ve previously been knocked mentally after attending traumatic incidents and knowing there is support from the charity should we need it puts my mind at ease.”
To see more of those running and to donate visit The Fire Fighters Charity website.
Sophie Harry is set to run the marathon in memory of Blackburn’s Elliot Simpson, who died last year aged 27.
He died after battling an aggressive type of skin cancer.
Sophie will be raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. She has set up a GoFundMe, intending to raise £2,000.
She said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is an amazing charity and were a great help to Elliot during his fight,
“I know this charity is close to the hearts of Elliot’s family and loved ones. What an honour it would be to raise the funds and more toward teenage cancer trust.
“Teenage Cancer Trust is still actively supporting all of Elliot’s family and will be there for them for as long as they are needed.
“In the time leading up to April, I will be training, running, and building myself up ready to take on the challenge, I would really appreciate everyone’s support.”
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