Ladies run London Marathon in memory of loved ones

Vicky Ferguson, Jane Lawrenson, Louise Rodgers, and Kate White all have a personal connection to the Halton Haven and hope to raise as much money as possible for the hospice.

Jane is also supporting Breast Cancer Now and Louise will share her sponsorship with Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Vicky, 44, and a keen member of Widnes Wasps running club, made a pledge to run a marathon after her mum died after been cared for by the hospice.

Vicky said:"Halton Haven has a special place in my heart as it was a place that my mum found peace and created some of her final memories before coming home.

"It is not a place to die but a place to provide love, comfort and support when times are difficult. "Halton Haven has given so much to our community and most families have been touched by the caring hand of all the staff.

"After mum died I made a bucket list and on this was run a marathon. Never in a million years did I ever think I would. But since my first marathon I haven't stopped running. It gives me time for me, to think and reflect and to remember my mum.

"I have previously raised funds for Halton Haven but this will be a new challenge, another positive way to give back and say thank you."

Jane, will be tackling the marathon in memory of her dad who was looked after at the haven.

Jane started running after the loss of her best friend, who was also cared for at the hospice.

This inspired Jane to get fit and join a running club.

Jane, 53, said: “This has been the most challenging thing I have ever done and am ever likely to do but I am determined to get over that line and support my chosen charities.

"More recently a family member and a close friend have been affected by cancer, so when I found out I had got a place in the London Marathon, it was an absolute no-brainer that I had to do it.”

Jane has been supported by a small team of friends and family who have been organising transport, accommodation and other logistics allowing her to focus on the running and fundraising.

Mum Louise, 41, from Sandymoor in Runcorn, was one of a team of 20 who completed the Manchester 10k in aid of the haven three years ago.

The team ran in memory of their friend Kelly who was cared for by the haven and sadly died in early 2015.

Louise said:“After the 10k, I carried on running because I can and others are not so lucky.

"I hit 40 and needed something to keep me fit. With two young children, some niggling injuries and plenty of nerves, the marathon and the preparation present a big challenge for Louise, but one that she is still looking forward to.

“I have my family and kids coming to cheer me on so I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with them!”

Kate is originally from Runcorn but now lives in Glasgow and is determined to complete this year's marathon after being struck ill a few weeks before last year's event.

She will be running for her grandad who died at the hospice in 2002.

Kate's family are also good friends with hospice founder Dom Valdez’s family.

Chris Andrews, senior fundraising manager at the hospice, said, “These four ladies are doing something very special. Not only will they be running the greatest marathon on earth, but they’ll also be raising vital funds for their local hospice.

"Vicky, Jane, Lou and Kate have personal experience of the work we do here at the haven and they know how important it is to us to have the support of people in our local communities.

"I hope they also know how incredibly grateful we are to them for their efforts.

"Running a marathon is hard and training for a marathon is harder, and taking the time to raise money for the haven alongside all of that is very special indeed.

"All of us at the haven are routing for them and we’ll be trying to spot them on the TV whilst cheering them on!”

All four runners will be donning purple Halton Haven running vests in London on Sunday provided free of charge by Best Sports in Runcorn.

For more information about Halton Haven Hospice call 01928 712 728 or email info@haltonhaven.co.uk.