Marathon runner to go the extra mile for hospice - The Stratford Observer

Marathon runner to go the extra mile for hospice

Stratford Editorial 9th Apr, 2019   0

THE LONDON Marathon is enough of a challenge for most – but not Bridget Richards.

After completing the 26 mile run around the streets of the capital, Bridget will be walking the 146 miles back home to Stratford along the Shakespeare Way.

Bridget is taking on her ‘1-7-2 challenge’ in memory of her late father and her late husband, with monies raised going to the Alzheimer’s Society and The Shakespeare Hospice which helped her with bereavement counselling.

The challenge was put on hold last year, when Bridget deferred her London Marathon place due to injury but she is back on track with her training, and she recently completed the Brentwood Half Marathon.




Bridget said: “My inspiration comes from my dad who passed away with Dementia. When my legs start to hurt, I think of him and what a strong, motivated person he was.

“I wanted to raise money for a local charity as well as the Alzheimer’s Society and The Shakespeare Hospice helped me with counselling when I lost my husband and was a huge support for a friend and his family when he lost his battle to kidney cancer nearly two years ago.”


People can support Bridget by placing a small metal heart – for a minimum donation of £10 – around a tree near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Saturday May 4.

Bridget explained: “This heart can represent your memory of someone that has passed away or a special person that has touched you or someone’s life even if only in a small way.”

And Bridget is encouraging those who fancy a walking challenge to join her on one of the seven stages of her walk back from the Globe Theatre in London along the Shakespeare Way through Oxford to Stratford.

The final stage on Saturday May 4 is 17 miles starting at Shipston and finishing in Stratford. Bridget will be welcomed home at The Shakespeare’s Hospice’s Spring Fayre in Shottery.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/172Challenge to find out more about the challenge and to donate.

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