Bedfordshire man set to achieve goal of 48 marathons in 30 days for MacMillan
Williams journey concludes with the London Marathon today
A Bedfordshire endurance athlete is set to complete his mammoth marathon fundraiser as a thank-you to the specialist cancer unit that cared for his mum before she died.
Over the past 30 days 27-year-old William Goodge is completing 48 marathons across all 48 English counties for Macmillan.
William's mum died aged 53 after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma for the third time.
Remembering his mum, who worked for years as a nurse before opening the Cakestand & Crumb café in Ampthill, William said:
“She was the kindest person you could ever meet and never had a bad word to say about anyone. When it came to her family, she was very protective. She was very selfless and always wanted to do everything for everyone.
“Given her tendency to put others first, it’s no surprise that she liked to get involved with fundraising and would host Macmillan Coffee Mornings every year at her café.
"When I did my first fundraising challenge, it was Macmillan I thought of first because of that association with her Coffee Mornings.
"This challenge is a way of me thanking them but also showing the strength I saw from her during her treatment.”
When asked about his reasons for completing this extremely challenging fundraiser for Macmillan, William said:
“The Macmillan nurses who work within Bedford hospital, where my mum had most of her treatment, were always there for her when she was diagnosed with cancer.
"Knowing there is an available support system for the cancer patient and the family too was incredible. It’s a tough time for so many people and I found comfort even knowing there was support available if I or my family needed it.
"Everyone I’ve met in Macmillan has a true heart of gold and the work they do every day is beyond important.
"This challenge and the struggles are nothing compared with what someone going through cancer is dealing with, so I can do this for them.
“Those moments of complete depletion, when you feel like you shouldn’t take another step, is when I feel closest to my mum. I am inspired by her strength in her cancer fight and the same strength other people with the disease show.”
At the Macmillan Primrose Unit, patients like Amanda are cared for by Macmillan and NHS clinical nurse specialists, who help them access the clinical information and practical support they need to understand their care and manage everyday life with cancer.
The unit also houses the Macmillan Information and Support Service, which offers an additional layer of practical, financial and emotional support for people living with cancer.