Focusing on Patient Centred Work
Elimination of
Leukaemia Fund
ELF’s London Marathon Team 2008
In this year’s Flora London Marathon 23 of the original 27 survived their training and arrived at the start line. The full team was Laura Allen, Thomas Birts, Paul Cole, Isabelle Cooper, Jacqui Crowley, Richard Darby, Don Darling, Thomas Elliott, Sean Gouldburn, Julie Harrison, Jonathan Harvey, Bryony Hatchard, Simon Haupt, Kate Hibbert, Carl Marshall (seen right) Asha Leo, Kiran Lakhani, Jass Sarai, Christopher Smith, Harriet Totty, Martin Winstanley, Roberta Jaffe-Wilcockson and Anthony Cerullo.
To all of them, and to their family and friends who supported them, we are most grateful. We had some great stories emailed to us.
Tom Elliott (right) announced on his eighteenth birthday that he would run in the 2008 London Marathon. However, he suffered a soft tissue injury 6 weeks before the event. But, come the marathon weekend, Tom, with his family, set off to London. Vicki Elliott, Tom’s mother, told us that having seen Tom off at 7.30 she and the family went to the designated spot and stood in the rain for over an hour and a half cheering and searching, but without seeing Tom. Realising that they had missed him they went to the finish, but again no Tom. After more rain, Vicki received a phone call asking her to pick Tom up from the St John's tent where he had booked himself in in a delusional state. Once joined up with his family and with a visit to hospital via ambulance, Tom discovered he had a stress fracture. Vicki added that both the St John's Ambulance and St Thomas's hospital were very impressive, and Tom has now made a full recovery.
Kate Hibbert emailed to say that it was really nice to be cheered on by Julie, our administrator, adding that she had a most amazing day. She managed to see all her family and friends as she ran the course and that the atmosphere was awesome. She said that she was quite touched by the support she received not only from her family and friends but also from the general public, who were so kind.
Tom Birts emailed to tell us that he managed a time of 5 hours 3 minutes, adding that a running friend needed medical attention around mile 20 mark which took 30 minutes, so he thought that his true time would have been about 4 hours 30 minutes.
Jacqui Crowley emailed to say that she had an amazing day and a great time, despite the pain, rain and hail! She added that the crowd were so supportive despite the torrential downpours, adding that the highlight of her run was overtaking the Masai Warriors! Jacqui added that she was in serious pain for a few days after the marathon but we are glad to report that she was now fully recovered.
Finally, we had a long letter from Richard Darby (right) who has run three times for us in memory of his wife, Ruth, who died of leukaemia. Richard, seen right, assures us that the hair is not the result of finishing the 2007 marathon in 2008. In his letter Richard wrote:
Each marathon has meant so much to me for so many reasons. The first helped me regain a purpose in life and come to terms with my grief. The second was a chance to propose to my wonderful new fiancée, Tracy. The third to have fun and bow out. Please tell your other runners how much of an honour it is to run for ELF and how it will stay with them forever.
Our thanks to Richard for his support over the past three years, and our best wishes to both him and Tracy for the 20 June when they will get married.
ELF’s London Marathon Team 2007
ELF’s 2007 team comprised Laura Allen, Thomas Birts, Ian Clout, Paul Cole, Isabelle Cooper, Jacqui Crowley, Richard Darby, Don Darling, Thomas Elliott, Sean Gouldburn, Julie Harrison, Jonathan Harvey, Bryony Hatchard, Simon Haupt, Kate Hibbert, Kiran Lakhani, Asha Leo, Carl Marshall, Jass Sarai, Francesca Seeley, Christopher Smith, Harriet Totty, Martin Winstanley, Roberta Jaffe-Wilcockson, Anthony Cerullo.
For more pictures click HERE.
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The London Marathon
Each year, ELF has a team in the London Marathon which is organised by CRunCH and if you would like to join ELF’s team for the next London Marathon please contact Andy or Thingy.
For information about the teams 2008 and 2007 click on the link below:
How to help us > Events > The London Marathon
