‘Sport-allergic’ Lili to run London Marathon to help equine charity
A WOMAN from Barrow upon Soar has already raised more than £7,000 for international horse and donkey charity Brooke ahead of her latest fund-raising venture – taking on this weekend’s London Marathon.
Lili Brooksby-Dalby, 35, who runs Brooksby Dressage,raised the cash by organising two online dressage competitions over the summer.
She asked her social media followers to send in videos of themselves performing tests for her to judge, alongside a donation to Brooke.
Lili said: “People all over submitted their tests and I judged them. I’m incredibly fortunate so many of my friends rallied around us and donated prizes, sponsored rosettes and trophies – their kindness has been nothing short of an inspiration to keep pushing the miles as a totally unfit, sport-allergic, lazy fitness pe rson prior to this.”
Lili is running the marathon alongside friend Hannah Doyle, from Long Whatton, who she credits with giving her the motivation to take part.
Lili said: “She’s been great for me. When I first started running in December she wanted to get some runs in with me before I gave up.
“She helped me through my first 10k and we have done all our long runs together. I find running with her so much easier than when alone.” This year’s marathon has been a long time coming, after last year’s event was postponed and then cancelled due to Covid-19, but Lili and Hannah have made it work.
Lili said: “As we are outside, we have always felt pretty safe to meet up and support one another.”
Money raised by the pair will go towards Brooke’s work around the world, bringing lasting change to the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and their owners.
“I wanted to support an equine charity that focuses on educating the next generation as well as helping current issues,” said Lili. “I also said I didn’t have a marathon in me. And I like to prove myself wrong.”
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lilhan
To find out more about Brooke, see www.thebrooke. org