Thatcham man running Reading Half Marathon for Sue Ryder charity in memory of friend
A THATCHAM man is gearing up for the Reading Half Marathon in memory of his "kind and positive" friend who died from cancer.
Robert Millson is running in memory of his friend and neighbour, Abi Brown, who died in 2019, aged 42.
She received care at the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, and Mr Millson said he wanted to give something back to the charity that cared for his inspirational friend.
He said: “I signed up for last year’s Reading Half Marathon when Abi was receiving treatment. I asked her if she’d be happy for me to raise money for the hospice. She was really pleased, and I know that she wanted to keep going so she could cheer me on. Sadly, she lost her long battle with cancer at the end of that year and the pandemic meant the event couldn’t go ahead.
“Abi was the most inspirational, kind and positive lady I had the pleasure of knowing. Her favourite phrase that I would love to continue is ‘Positive Pants’!
"She received the best possible care from Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, and I will wear my Sue Ryder vest with pride, knowing that I am running with the purpose of supporting an incredible charity. It’s amazing how Sue Ryder helps people in their final days, and I want to give something back.”
Mr Millson, who has lost more than eight stone in weight while training, hopes to inspire other people to join him in tackling the Reading Half Marathon.
He said: “Although it’s tough, it’s hard to put into words how amazing the experience is. You wear a racing number with your name on it and throughout the course you have people shouting your name and cheering you on, which is a great motivational boost and gets the adrenaline pumping.”
To donate to Mr Millson's cause, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-millson1.
Reading Half Marathon is scheduled to see people take to the streets on November 7 to raise vital funds for charities around the UK.
The event has raised more than £75,000 for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in the last four years, enabling its nurses and doctors to provide expert care and valuable support to patients living with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The coronavirus pandemic has seen the charity suffer financially, with mass fundraising events cancelled and its charity shops closed, and it is asking people to provide crucial support, ensuring that Sue Ryder’s nurses, care teams and support staff can be there for the local community when it matters.
Entry for the Reading Half Marathon is £25 with a fundraising target of £145.
People can sign up at: sueryder.org/support-us/fundraise/events/reading-half-marathon-2021
To speak to the fundraising team at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, email dokh.fundraising@sueryder.org or call 0118 9550 433.
