West Country residents ready for London Marathon
We've spoken to two who will cross the start line on Sunday
Many people from across the South-West will join thousands of others running in the London Marathon this Sunday (23 March).
They will be fundraising for their chosen charities, with many having been personally touched by the charities that they’ve chosen to support.
Liam Gilmore, 45 from Warminster, started the campaign ‘Run4Emily’, which has seen more than 300 people from 25 countries across the world come together to run in memory of Liam’s late wife Emily, who passed away from breast cancer in July 2022.
He started the campaign last month, with the impressive event taking place over Emily’s birthday weekend.
“It goes back to when we met in Liberia in 2011, we have so many friends that we’ve kept in touch with, people from all across Europe, North America, Africa," he said.
"I have so many friends across the world who will be thinking of her on that day, so we made it into a virtual running event.
"People took little video clips and shared them round on various social media platforms. I think in the end we had people running across 25 counties around the world."
Next on the agenda for Liam is, of course, the London Marathon.
Running this marathon holds sentiment as it was something he hoped to do with Emily.
He has kept his promise to run the marathon for her, keeping her positive spirit alive.
He has been training since October and running three times a week since January.
London is also a place close to Liam’s heart.
“Emily was someone full of energy, kindness and generosity," he said.
"London was such a special place for us, we moved there in 2013.
"We had all that London offers; our friends, nightlife, travel.
"We had our first child there and first home.”
Liam is fundraising for two charities, that have been there for him in his time of need.
Winston’s Wish is a charity that the family got to know around May last year, after Emily’s secondary diagnosis was confirmed.
They are a specialist child bereavement organisation and they support families at a time of loss.
They have helped to support Liam’s two daughters.
Liam also works for charity Plan International, who were also immensely supportive and kind during his difficult time.
The charity supports children growing up in third world countries and he will be raising money for them too.
"I think it's going to be quite emotional (crossing the finish line)," he said.
"It's been building up and building up and obviously behind it is keeping a promise to Emily, so I think once that's done I'll be thinking of her."
It’s no surprise that training to run a marathon can be challenging, especially one as large London Marathon, which claims to be the ‘largest fundraiser on the planet’.
Bristol local Julie Jensen is running for charity Sense, and has been putting herself through her paces the last sixteen weeks
“It takes a lot of planning and early mornings, you miss lie-ins and you need to be really disciplined," she said.
“Every time that I have felt really demotivated, I’ve re-looked at why I signed up and who I am doing this for.
"That feeling of euphoria when you do complete the run and cross that finish line, makes you forget all the training you’ve gone through.”
Sense is a charity that helps to support those affected by deaf blindness and complex disabilities,
For Julia, this is something familiar and close to her heart.
“I grew up with grandparents who were both deaf and seeing their struggles in a hearing world was really tough," she said.
“It was isolating for them and it made me think as an adult I would love to be able to help people like them to exist and have a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.”
Though Julie was already a keen runner, she has never taken part in the London Marathon, having only emigrated from South Africa last July.
“I’ve heard that London Marathon has one of the top levels of atmosphere from the supporting crowds lining the streets, it’s absolutely electric," she said.
“Sense have sent us letters to pin onto our shirts, hearing my name being screamed will be really motivational."
Lastly, if you’ve ever considered taking part in a marathon but never quite went for it - here is Julie’s message to you
“Just do it! Don’t think about it just do it!”
So far Julie has reached 77 per cent of her £1,700 target for Sense.
You can sponsor her by clicking this link.
You can read more about Liam's story and donate to his charities here.