Marathon effort for Sue Ryder

April 20, 2016

Henley resident Kate Thomas is competing in the London Marathon on Sunday (24 April) with the goal of raising £1,750 for local charity Sue Ryder.

Kate, aged 23, has been in training for the race – her first Marathon –  since last October and is hoping to complete the course in under five hours.

Kate works as a marketing assistant at Brakspear’s head office in Bell Street. The company is raising money for Sue Ryder this year, with a target of £50,000, but Kate’s decision to run the Marathon for the charity pre-dates her employer’s involvement, as she explains:

“Last May, a close family friend sadly passed away at the Sue Ryder Nettlebed Hospice. This was just a week after I’d watched my housemate Beanie Garnett complete the London Marathon dressed as a killer whale, for the Born Free Foundation.

“I was totally inspired by the event, and moved by the incredible support Sue Ryder had provided for my friend and his family. The two came together and a year later, I’m looking forward to running the Marathon and raising a good sum of money for this wonderful local charity.”

Kate grew up in and around Henley and lives in the town. She is an experienced rower and qualified rowing coach, and worked for several years at the Leander Club, as well as coaching at Henley Rowing Club. Kate joined Brakspear in February last year.

Brakspear launched its charity partnership with Sue Ryder last autumn, and pubs have been busily raising money, with a total of around £8,000 collected so far.  Every pound Kate raises will be matched by Brakspear, as chief executive Tom Davies says, “We’re very proud of Kate’s Marathon attempt: she’s trained hard and I’m sure that knowing she’s supporting a great charity will help to get her through ‘the wall’ and over the finish line.”

The monies being raised by Brakspear will be used by Sue Ryder to provide hospice care at the Duchess of Kent and Nettlebed Hospices, Charles Clore Unit, Newbury and Wokingham Day Hospice.

Sue Ryder provides hospice and neurological care for people facing a frightening, life-changing diagnosis. It aims to be safety net for patients and their loved ones at the most difficult time of their lives. Sue Ryder treats more conditions than any other UK charity in its hospices, neurological care centres and out in the community, as well as campaigning to improve the lives of people living with them.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KateThomasSueRyder

Above image shows Kate Thomas in training for the London Marathon