Rachel goes the full distance in tribute to Megan
AFITNESS coach and former food safety officer has helped raise £2,500 for a charity very close to her heart, after finishing the virtual London Marathon.
Rachel Wilcock achieved a lifetime ambition by running the event in 5 hours and 17 minutes, to mark her 40th birthday in the 40th London Marathon year.
As the former lead officer for Food Safety at Lancashire County Council, Rachel investigated the tragic death of Oswaldtwistle teenager Megan Lee, who passed away in 2016 after an allergic reaction to takeaway food. She was fundraising for the Anaphylaxis Campaign.
Megan’s family were there to cheer Rachel on as she completed ten laps of a route she had planned around Clayton-le-Moors, with Megan’s dad Adam running alongside her for part of the way.
Rachel got to know the Lee family well and was very moved by what they have gone through.
She said: “Megan’s family suffered an incredible tragedy and continue to suffer yet still conduct themselves with dignity and poise. They are an inspiration and I can tell from the stories they have shared with me what a special young lady Megan was. It was an absolute honour to complete the marathon in her memory.
“The money I have raised will contribute to the important work that the charity does to support families like Megan’s and also raise awareness of anaphylaxis because everyone should understand the dangers of allergies.”
After putting in months of training, overcoming injury and dealing with the uncertainty about whether or not the event would go ahead, Rachel was determined to complete the goal she had set for herself.
Members of Rachel’s fitness group, Be Strong, of which she is a co-founder with business partner Rick Wilson, also turned out to show their support and join her.
Her biggest supporter on the day was her dad Graham Walmsley, who completed the marathon in 1981 in two hours and 52 minutes.
He was waiting at the finish line with a tear in his eye ready to pass on his own medal.
Rachel said she is very grateful for the generosity of her sponsors and has been overwhelmed by the support she has had.
To donate visit justgivi ng. com/ f undraising/ rachelwilcockmarathon .