We are always impressed by the challenges our incredible supporters take on to raise funds for the hospice – but running 211 laps of the running track on the top deck of a cruise ship was a first.

It all started when this year’s TCS London Marathon fell on the 11^th anniversary of Claire and Michelle’s brother, David’s, death. “With it being my 50^th birthday year as well, it felt like the right time to try and run the TCS London marathon in David’s memory and raise money for the hospice who cared for him so compassionately,” Claire said.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get into the marathon, but this presented an opportunity to sign-up to run TCS ‘London Marathon My Way,’ the virtual TCS London marathon, and even better, to run it together with my wonderful sister.”

The virtual TCS London Marathon means you can run the 26.2 miles anywhere as long as it is completed on the same day as the actual TCS London Marathon. The sisters planned to run it together in Eastbourne and began their 18-week training plan in December.

However, shortly after starting the training, Claire realised the date of the marathon was also the day after she and her husband were due to set sail on her birthday cruise. “Michelle was very understanding and we were both keen to carry on and complete our marathons, Michelle locally round Eastbourne and me on the cruise ship. Fortunately, there was a 200 metre running track on the ship, which meant I could still do it, but needed to do 211 laps!” Claire said.

“I was pretty worried about the prospect of such a repetitive run and was sad not to be running with Michelle, as we’d been through all the highs and lows of training together, including running Eastbourne Half Marathon,” Claire said. “When it came to the Virtual Marathon, I realised I would need to run through the night in order to avoid the possible busyness of the deck during the day. I started just before 2am and although my husband saw me off, I was then running on my own in the dark for the next four hours. My music really kept me going!

“When the sun rose around 6am it was a real sight for sore eyes. The deck started to get busier with other runners and walkers and my husband joined me for the last few miles before rallying a few people to cheer me on for my last lap and to hold the St Wilfrid’s banner,” Claire said.

“I don’t think the other passengers really got what I did. I asked one of the crew if anyone had done a marathon on this particular ship before and she said that she certainly hadn’t heard of anyone doing it. She was kind enough to say I was her hero!

“When I finished, I was keen to know how Michelle was getting on and was delighted to hear that she was smashing it around Eastbourne. Her route incorporated visits to both our Dad and brother David’s graves and she finished at the hospice, cheered on by her husband and hospice staff.”

Claire went on to tell us all about David, the inspiration behind their run. “David was a gentle, caring person with a great sense of humour. He was a wonderful Uncle to his seven nephews and nieces and enjoyed his work at The Chaseley Trust.”

He was aged just 39 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. “After having been misdiagnosed with anxiety attributed to the fact that our lovely Dad had recently died of a glioblastoma, David was diagnosed with high grade astrocytoma,” Claire said. “Unfortunately, it was known from the point of diagnosis that it was not operable. It was a terrible shock for David and the whole family, especially as it was only weeks after our dad’s death from a very similar tumour.

“As a family, we were already aware of St Wilfrid’s and the wonderful care and services it provides. Dad had attended weekly sessions in the previous building, which provided a welcome respite for Mum, as well as an opportunity for Dad to access therapeutic interventions and support,” Claire added.

“So, when David’s GP referred him, we knew he would be in safe hands. He twice received inpatient care, the first following a sudden decline in his condition to allow his medication to be reviewed by the doctor, and for adaptations and equipment to be recommended by the Occupational Therapy Team.

“The hospice team also ensured David had access to conversations with a priest and other spiritual and wellbeing support. David was a man of deep faith, so these elements were very important to him. David was also lucky enough to have a bed at the hospice again for his end of life care.”

“His room was light and spacious and opened onto the garden,” Michelle said. “The last day I saw him awake – although I didn’t know that at the time – we were sitting in the garden outside his room, watching the birds drinking from a water feature, enjoying a home-made shortbread biscuit.”

Claire added: “The calm and tranquil environment, along with the devoted, caring staff, meant that this most difficult time was eased significantly.”

The sisters finished by saying: “We are proud to have achieved our goal and raised over £2,000 for St Wilfrid’s, and we are so thankful to everyone who supported us.”

Pictured: David and furry friends; Claire and Michelle completed the Eastbourne Half Marathon together as part of their training; all the family; Claire on the ship; Michelle during her marathon; wearing their official TCS London Marathon tee-shirts and medals.

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