Tragedy set Phill on a marathon funds quest
A CARDIFF man is looking to get himself marathon fit before the end of this month to be able to raise money for a children’s hospice which supported his friends after their baby daughter died.
Phill Wilkinson, 32, who lives in the Roath Lake area, was challenged by a group of friends to run the 26.2 miles on February 28, despite having never run a marathon, or even a half marathon before. He was given six weeks to prepare.
Once his friends started offering up money, Phill decided he would raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospices, based close to his hometown of Wrexham, which supported his childhood friends Steve and Kadie Jarvis after their daughter Frances Isobelle died aged just seven weeks in 2018.
Phill said: “The support given to Steve and Kadie by Hope House at such a difficult and tragic time was amazing, and they still help them to this day. The wonderful people at Hope House are relentless in their support for parents who have had to endure similar to what Steve and Kadie have been through, and the opportunity to help make a difference for this organisation was a no brainer.”
Phill has just a few weeks before he runs the Cardiff half marathon loop twice on February 28, but has already raised more than £3,000, but is hoping to make that £5,000 by the time the challenge comes around.
“Although I have played hockey, I’m not really in the right build for marathon running, but I’ve been training hard and have changed my diet over the last few weeks so I can be in great shape and ready to complete the marathon at the end of the month,” said Phill.
Steve, who still lives in Wrexham with Kadie and their 17-month-old daughter Aymee Hope, said: “We wish Phill all the luck with this marathon attempt. It really is remarkable what he’s trying to do in such a short time.”
If you would like to donate and support Phill in his marathon challenge, then visit justgiving.com/fundraising/phillip-wilkinson26