A woman who could barely walk is now running London Marathon for Oxford children's hospice
Becky is hoping to raise over £5,000 for Helen and Douglas House
A woman who could barely walk 14 years ago is just one of the inspirational people taking on today’s London Marathon as she is raising money for an Oxford children's hospice.
Becky McWass will be dressed as a ‘house’ for Helen & Douglas and is hoping it will be 3rd time lucky.
She was originally due to run the 2020 London Marathon which was cancelled by the global pandemic. After that, she ran it in 2023 but due to upcoming major surgery wasn’t able to bear the weight of the house and then injury forced her to pull out.
Becky has Fibromyalgia and around 14 years ago she couldn’t even walk down the stairs and she has used running and training as a way for getting her health back on track.
Becky says “I dreamed of running the London Marathon for years even before I could run. I recall watching it from my sick bed and thinking wow how amazing, but I’ll never be well enough.
“Now, I have completed many long-distance running challenges including the 2023 London Marathon and 2022 Oxford Marathon – but doing the London Marathon dressed as Helen & Douglas House feels like unfinished business and I’m determined to complete the challenge.”
Becky says she choose to raise money for Helen & Douglas House because, “I helped a young boy with brain damage take part in lots of activities at cubs including a camp. He unfortunately passed away in hospital. His dad said he always had a photo of me and him from camp on his bedside, being there to allow him to take part in everything in our own way.
She added: “He didn’t have a children’s hospice to go to then. So, to know there’s somewhere like Helen & Douglas House that could have helped him towards the end makes me want to raise money for them.”
Becky has met parents of children who have received care at Helen & Douglas House and her costume will have bricks painted on the side bearing some of the children’s names.
You can sponsor Becky here