Salisbury doctor running London Marathon for Stars Appeal
Dr Niki Meston is raising money for the Pembroke Cancer Unit
A doctor from Salisbury is running the London Marathon today (Sunday 23rd April) on behalf of Stars Appeal.
Dr Niki Meston is a consultant chemical pathologist at Salisbury Hospital and a keen marathon runner.
Niki is running the London Marathon for the 10th time, having first run in 1996, and is raising money for the Pembroke Cancer Unit.
She told us what the charity does to support people with cancer:
“The Stars Appeal helps in a very difficult time in in somebody's life when they're going through chemotherapy or cancer treatment. And it helps add the little things that make a lot of difference in normal life, so things like aromatherapy, well-being programs, free drinks provisions and headwear for people that lose their hair during the treatment.
Niki lost her mum, Maria, to cancer and is also running in memory of her:
“My mum was a great supporter. My daughter is a wonderful inspiration as well. So doing it with the kind of the family behind me is helpful and it's nice to do something in mum's memory specifically I think she would have approved with London.”
This latest Marathon will be the 70th that Niki has participated in, which makes her well qualified to define what makes the London Marathon special.
“Above all things, the atmosphere,” she said, “It's nice to see the sides. The crowds are amazing and to especially they're for me the last 500 meters when you just round in front of Buckingham Palace and then you turn back and you can see the finish line. I normally burst into tears at that point.
After initially “hating it”, Niki got the bug for running and found it helped with her mental health.
She said: “I love being outside. I love the freedom of being away outside. Just the freed space where not necessarily people can get hold of you, but for mental health strength it's been enormous for me, especially as your life gets busier and different pressures come at you without running.
“I think I would have crumbled a long time ago so from that point of view, it's been invaluable.”