Lucy

Lucy explains why she took part in the Big Half for Child Bereavement UK in memory of her best friend Sarah.

I gained a real sense of achievement and purpose from taking part, especially when the training was tough and the race got hard. I thought of Sarah and just kept putting one foot in front of the other - she wouldn’t have given up if it was her.

We lost my best friend Sarah far too young, and far too soon, in November 2020. Sarah has two beautiful young daughters and I wanted to do something which could help other children and families who have faced loss.

Sarah and I had run a half marathon together in the past and she was always up for new challenges. It seemed fitting to honour her by taking on the Big Half for Child Bereavement UK; I know she would have been proud and supported me in taking on this challenge for a very worthy cause.

I trained for three months during the summer heatwave of 2022, setting very early alarms and persuading good running friends and my brother to join me on some of my training runs.

I gained a real sense of achievement and purpose from taking part, especially when the training was tough and the race got hard. I thought of Sarah and just kept putting one foot in front of the other - she wouldn’t have given up if it was her.

The challenges team at Child Bereavement UK was brilliant, communicating with me regularly, and being thoroughly supportive and encouraging, including providing information about the charity’s good work.

I am deeply grateful and touched by all the good people, family, friends and acquaintances who donated to the charity. I feel proud to have raised an amazing amount of money for a worthy charity in Sarah’s name, preserving and maintaining her legacy.

If anyone is considering taking on a challenge for Child Bereavement UK, I’d say don’t delay and sign up. You won’t regret it.

If you have been inspired to take on a challenge for us, please visit our challenge events page, contact our fundraising team on [email protected] or call us on 01494 569048.

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