MP joins MD in a marathon effort
CHILDREN’S HEALTH CHARITY TO BENEFIT
TAKING on a first marathon in your mid-40s is a daunting task for anyone, but the rewards are pleasing especially if you are running ... or walking ... to male a difference to a charity close to your heart.
This has been the catalyst for both local farmer’s wife and Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Dr Caroline Johnson alongside Chandlers Farm Equipment managing director Gavin Pell to get fit and healthy.
A project that started almost 12 months ago with a light-hearted challenge between a group of friends, and has led to this marathon effort competing in this year’s London Marathon on Sunday, April 21.
The pair will be taking part to raise funds for children’s health charity
Bliss which supports the parents of babies who are born prematurely or are ill.
Bliss do some very important work supporting the parents of premature babies, and helping them cope in a practical as well as emotional manner at a very busy and stressful time for a lot families.
Gavin, has direct experience of support from Bliss so understands the experiences of families with a baby born premature or sick and Caroline, through her work as a NHS paediatrician has cared for many babies from 22 weeks up to term needing medical, cardiac and surgical treatment in our local hospitals.
In her role as MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Caroline has also raised awareness in Parliament about how we can support those whose babies have been born premature or sick, or who have tragically lost their baby and campaigned for measures to improve maternity care and reduce brain injuries at birth.
They have set up a JustGiving page for donations: https://www.justgiving.com/page/gavin-pell-carolinejohnson-marathon-bliss with the total at the time of publication is a whopping £4,025 with their target set at £5,000.
Gavin says: Anything you can spare for our fundraiser would be hugely appreciated - one in every seven babies born in the UK will need specialist care. Your donation to our page will help Bliss to drive improvements in neonatal care and provide support to all families with a baby born premature or sick. We hope you will be able to support our fundraising activity.
Both Howard Pell (Chairman) and Felicity Hart (nee Pell, Parts Director) at Chandlers have previously run the London Marathon in 1982 and 2004 respectively, and so the pressure is on for Gavin to join the family achievement.
With both of them achieving a time of around 4 hrs with significantly quicker times in other marathons; a target has been set to aim for.
Gavin says he is looking forward to a big steak at the end to celebrate while Caroline’s goal is to finish in one piece.