Outstanding London Marathon runners

On Sunday 23 April, a team of 14 fantastic fundraisers tackled the world-famous TCS London Marathon in aid of Haven House. The incredible team has raised more than £43,000…an outstanding amount that is still rising.

Each of the runners had their own personal reasons for representing Haven House. Among those who took on the epic 26.2mile run around the capital were friends Danny Ellis and Trevor Long. The duo were inspired by their friend’s son Rudy, who is supported by Haven House.

Rudy was born in March 2020 with an extremely rare genetic disorder called Multiple Congenital Anomalies or MCAHS-1, which is characterised by global developmental delay, epilepsy and low muscle tone. You can read more about Rudy here.

Danny said: “Although Rudy was our main motivation for taking on the marathon, we have also been inspired by his incredible parents Harry and Nicola. We want to help them with raising awareness and funds for Haven House as Rudy benefits immensely from the care and therapies available.

“Haven House provides invaluable respite, music therapy and yoga for Rudy and relies on fundraising to fund these services. This support system is invaluable to Harry, Nicola and hundreds of local children and families.”

James Holmes, 37, finished in a speedy 3 hours 54 minutes. James, a broker from Buckhurst Hill, wanted to prove to himself that he could complete the course, after spending a terrifying month in intensive care back in 2015 suffering from Rhabdomyolysis.

James said: “I think completing the London Marathon is massive in terms of my mental and physical wellbeing, and has helped me deal with stress and anxiety. I wanted to raise as much money as I could for Haven House, an excellent charity supporting children and their families near to my home. To hear how the money raised directly helps means a lot to me.

“The best part was seeing my family and friends gathered at Tower bridge, to cross the bridge itself, is an unbelievable experience. But to have everyone there cheering me on too, made it extra special.”

As a charity, it costs us £4m each year to keep our doors open, and with only around 20% of funding from the NHS, we rely on the generous support of the community to continue providing specialist care free of charge to seriously ill children and their families.

Sophie Bragg, Haven House’s Events Fundraising Manager, said: “Running a marathon is a lifetime ambition for many and the London Marathon is the one everyone wants to complete. It’s an ideal opportunity to fly the flag for Haven House. I would like to congratulate our runners and say a huge thank you to them for choosing to run for our hospice. We are so proud of them. Their commitment and determination is simply extraordinary.”

Congratulations to our all runners: Alastair Wood, Daniel Ellis, Trevor Long, Alasdair Carpenter, James Holmes, Georgina McMahon, Sean Galvin, Robert Oates, Natalie Bonnick, Abbey Medlycott, Gary Taylor, James Macdonald, Gary Stevens & Louise Bradbury.

Feeling inspired? Apply to run the London Marathon in 2024 for Haven House.