There is nothing quite like seeing someone cross a finish line after achieving something they once thought was beyond them.
As Corporate Partnerships manager at St Luke’s Hospice, I spend each day encouraging people to do something special and raise money for palliative and end-of-life care.
Next year, I will take some of my own advice. I have signed up for the TCS London Marathon.
I have never run a marathon. I have never even entered a serious running event.
Running is not my forte.
That is precisely why this feels like the right challenge.
My association with St Luke’s goes back to my school days in Harrow.
I supported fundraising at St Anselm’s Catholic Primary School. Later, I took part in the Santa Dash at Salvatorian College.
Years later, my grandad was cared for by St Luke’s at the end of his life.
I already knew the hospice well, but seeing that care for myself made it deeply personal.
St Luke’s will always hold a special place in my heart.
Through my work, I have seen how generous the people of Harrow and Brent are.
They run, walk, cycle and organise events.
They often attempt things they would never normally consider.
I also see the elation when they finish.
They are exhausted, relieved and usually already talking about what they might do next.
After five years of watching that, I wanted to experience it for myself.
I am quickly discovering that a marathon is not one difficult day.
The hard work begins months before you reach the starting line.
At first, I hated every second of the training. I could run 5km, but I resented it.
Now, slightly to my own surprise, I am beginning to enjoy it.
I feel fitter and healthier. Running has also been good for my head.
My longest run so far is 7.5 miles (12km).
I am working towards a half marathon and have cut my 5km time from about 32 minutes to around 28 minutes.
There is still an alarming distance between 7.5 miles (12km) and a full marathon of 26.2 miles (42.2km).
But I am determined. Even if I have to finish on one leg, I will finish.
St Luke’s Hospice still has a few places available for the 2027 TCS London Marathon Double.
If you would like to run for St Luke’s, please email: community@stlukes-hospice.org to find out how you can get involved.
But you do not need to run a marathon to support St Luke’s.
You could organise an event, take on a challenge, fundraise at work, volunteer or make a donation.
Help John turn every hard-earned mile into vital care for local families by donating at his JustGiving page: justgiving.com/page/j-clifford-94
- John Clifford is Corporate Partnerships manager at St Luke’s Hospice.
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