A cardiac arrest survivor, an Isle of Wight GP, a schoolteacher and many other Islanders ran the 2022 London Marathon on Sunday (October 2) and raised thousands of pounds for different charities.
Running a marathon is always an emotional experience and many of these fundraising heroes chose to do so in memory of a loved one, or in support of a cause they feel strongly about.
Scroll through the gallery of pictures above to see some of the runners...
- NICK DOVER suffered a cardiac arrest three years ago, aged just 34, and ran the 2022 London Marathon in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
He said: "I am still trying to process the whole experience...my legs are certainly reminding me of running 26.2 miles."
Nick continued: "This was more than just a marathon - that was the icing on the cake.
"After my cardiac arrest three years ago I wanted to get back to running, and earmarked this as a way to help my recovery - both mind and fitness.
"I also wanted to use this as a platform to spread the word about cardiac issues in young people, and perhaps inspire someone else to lace up and get running (or something), as I think that has really helped me."
His sister, Lou Howell, also ran the marathon on Sunday and he had a support crew of all his family too.
Nick concluded: "The crowds were just immense, which really helped carry you through, and it just echoed all the support I had on my way to the start line. So if anything I am just feeling super-humble and grateful.
"We have raised over £2,500 for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young)."
HAVE YOU READ NICK'S INSPIRING BLOG?
Click here to read Nick's blog
CLICK HERE to visit Nick's JustGiving page and support his cause.
- JO REES ran the London Marathon for PLANETS Cancer Charity because they supported her uncle, Mick Hallett, who sadly lost a 17-year battle with cancer.
She said: "Running the London Marathon was an incredible experience, one that I will never forget, made all the more special by the fact that I was able to represent and raise money for such a wonderful charity that means so much to us as a family."
She dedicated each of the 26 miles to an inspirational person that had passed away from pancreatic or liver cancer, or who are associated with the PLANETS charity, including doctors, surgeons, nurses, and current patients.
Jo continued: "It was an honour and a privilege to be able to hear the stories, keep memories alive and learn more about what the brilliant medical team at Southampton and beyond have done and continue to do.
"I cannot tell you how running each mile for a different inspirational person made such a huge difference to how I was able to cope with and manage this epic challenge!
"It was very tough at times and all I kept thinking of was the person that mile represented, what they had done or been through and to just keep going."
Jo has raised over £3,200 online for PLANETS to date and you can CLICK HERE to donate to her JustGiving page.
- RACHAEL PALMER from Newport, was raising money for Children With Cancer UK in memory of her three-year-old daughter, Delilah.
- MADDY HAYES was also raising money for Children With Cancer UK.
She said: "This was the first time I had entered the London Marathon ballot and I was lucky enough to get a place. As this was my first ever full marathon this was certainly setting the bar high!
"I am a mum to a young child and so I chose to run for Children With Cancer UK to help raise money for their research, and I never expected to raise quite as much as I have (over £660 online to date).
It certainly will be a day I will treasure forever and I would like to give thanks to all my friends, family, running buddies and everyone that has donated so far.
CLICK HERE to donate to Maddy's JustGiving page.
- NAT (NATHANIEL) RIDDETT was running in aid of the Isle of Wight Island Games Association, in memory of his dad, Terry Riddett, who was well known in Island sporting circles.
Nat said: "Sunday was my first marathon. Ever since I was little, I would watch the London Marathon with my family and it became my ambition to be a part of it.
"My chance came through the Island Games, to run on behalf of the organisation and raise money for my peers and in memory of my dad, who passed away in February this year.
"He was the secretary for the Isle of Wight Island Games Association and passionate about creating opportunities for young people who shared his love of sports.
"The race itself was not only an intense physical battle but an emotional one.
"During the 26.2 miles I went from excitement on the start line to loneliness at around 18 miles. Seeing all the support for the runners was incredibly emotional, which I felt every other step.
"Having my wife, sister and friends supporting from the sidelines picked me up when I needed a little extra encouragement to keep going.
"The last four miles were like a victory lap, I knew I would finish and just wanted to savour the crowd, landmarks and the occasion as I made my way to the finish.
"The sheer joy as I crossed the line was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, knowing I’d just completed a marathon with my dad looking on."
Nat has raised more than £1,600 online so far, CLICK HERE to donate to his fundraising page.
- PAUL THORLEY ran the 2022 London Marathon in aid of the Wessex Cancer Trust.
He was due to run the 2021 race, but was badly affected by Covid and was forced to postpone.
He said: "I tried last year, trained hard, really hard, sacrificing a lot of things and time. Sadly Covid destroyed me for months.
"To finally get to run the marathon on Sunday was an amazing life-changing experience I’ll never forget. Or repeat!"
By fundraising online and offline, he has raised over £5,000 for the Wessex Cancer Trust and you can CLICK HERE to donate to his fundraising page.
- TERRY HARDY is a first-time marathon runner, who decided to do some last-minute fundraising for Mountbatten Isle of Wight.
Terry said: "Wow what an amazing experience! Running my first marathon London certainly didn't disappoint, I wasn't prepared for the huge energetic crowds creating noise and atmosphere which was very uplifting helping the miles tick by plus the camaraderie between fellow runners was something special definitely a bucket list moment ticked off.
"I was happy with the 4hrs 39mins finish time - all the hard work and training paid off. A big thank you to all my friends and family for their support and donations for the Mountbatten hospice too."
Terry has raised over £400 online and you can CLICK HERE to donate to his Facebook fundraiser page.
- JUSTIN OLESINSKI was raising money for Cure Parkinson's because his dad, Bernard, has the disease.
Justin said: "The day will be one that I will never forget. The atmosphere was so positive with unbelievable support from the crowds and so many people running for charity.
"I personally raised over £5,000 for Cure Parkinson’s, so it was worth all the pain at the end.
CLICK HERE to donate to Justin's fundraising page.
- DAWN GAREY was raising money for SSAFA, the forces charity.
Dawn said: "I completed it and beat the party bus at the back - I did take hours though! I started off well and my first third was quite fast.
"Then I had a wardrobe crisis with socks and my feet started hurting. Then my legs seized up! I even had some physio for half an hour on the side before hobbling my way over the finish!
"A buzzing day though! One off the bucket list and I've raised over £3,000 for SSAFA. Never again though, I think I'll stick to Walk the Wight!"
CLICK HERE to donate to Dawn's fundraising page.
- SARAH TYRRELL JONES was raising money for Breast Cancer Now, as she is the Isle of Wight's community fundraiser for the charity.
She said: "Well my dream came true after 41 years of waiting.
"I enjoyed every single step of it I got tired at 23 miles and shuffled on to 26. I saw my husband at 26 miles too and that was so nice.
"Completing the London Marathon was my absolute dream and I loved it."
- GLEN AND RUTH JONES, a husband and wife team, were raising money for the NSPCC.
Glen has run many marathons and finished in just under four hours, while Ruth is a newcomer to the marathon distance and finished in a respectable 5hrs 19mins.
Glen said: "Ruth was very pleased with her first marathon and between us we raised £3,000 for NSPCC."
CLICK HERE to donate to Ruth's JustGiving page.
- Dr DAVID HENDERSON ran the marathon to raise money for the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.
He said: "I'm thrilled to have been able to raise so much in such a short time and more importantly raise awareness for such an important local cause.
"The marathon was a euphorising experience which will stay with me for a long, long time."
His online fundraising page has raised more than £1,380 and you can CLICK HERE to donate to his cause.
- MARK GRIMES was raising money for the Wight Brainy Bunch, which he co-founded with his wife.
He said: "I won't lie, my training never went as well as my previous London marathons, I think the extremely hot summer played a big part in that, and our charity has been really busy fundraising and supporting many families.
He finished in a slower time than his previous marathons. He continued: "After I finished, I said never again, however I have already entered the ballot for next year's London Marathon!"
CLICK HERE to donate to the Wight Brainy Bunch via the charity's JustGiving page.
- MARTYN THORP was raising money for Livability, which helps those with mobility and disability issues.
He said: "This event was a special one for me and although I was raising money for my chosen charity, Livability, this was very much an emotional journey for myself.
"This month marks ten years since I had a health scare with my heart and spent many years back and forth to London for tests and treatment.
"The finish line for the marathon was just across the river from the hospital I attended and so this was a kind of closure for me.
"It was an electrifying event and the immense support from the people of London made this very special indeed!"
Martyn's marathon effort has raised over £500 online for Livability and you can CLICK HERE to donate to his fundraising page.
- ANJA BENNETT did this year's virtual London Marathon in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
She said: "My dad had a heart attack in February at the age of 55, thankfully he is OK now, but the support the British Heart Foundation gave him was amazing."
She has raised around £600 online and you can CLICK HERE to donate to her JustGiving page.
ARE YOU INSPIRED BY THESE TALES?
Maybe you could run the London Marathon next year! Click here to enter the ballot, which is open for entries until 9pm on Friday, October 7.
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