The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Sinead’s marathon challenge
A Peterborough teacher who is running the London Marathon to help raise money for a city hospice says she is “excited” to be taking on her first ever 26.2 mile event.
25-year-old Sinead Raynor is taking part in Sunday’s event to raise funds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.
“I’m running it for my uncle and my grandad, who were both [cared for] at Thorpe Hall,” said the Stanground Academy teacher. This is the 10-year anniversary since my granddad was there.”
As the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in
Peterborough, Thorpe Hall provides care and support for people who are living with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.
The hospice cared for Sinead’s uncle, John, and, latterly her grandad, Doug – both of whom were diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“I was a teenager, doing my GCSEs, when my granddad was at Thorpe Hall – the care they gave was nothing short of incredible,” she remembers. When my grandad went in [to the hospice] he was even in the same room as my uncle was in years before.”
Describing that period as “such a horrible and difficult time,” Sinead recalled drawing strength from the hospice staff.
“They supported you with medical help and advice, as well as just being a shoulder to cry on.”
Sinead admits that deciding to run the marathon has pushed her right out of her comfort zone. “I teach performing arts at a secondary school,” she protests: “I’m not a runner!”
However, the determined teacher believes her inspiration will be more than enough to carry her along to the finish line.
“The reason why I’m running; why I’m raising money, is so that other people can have the support I and my family got,” she said. “I’ll complete it – 100 per cent. You can count on me.”
Help Sinead reach her £2,000 target by donating at her JustGiving page.