The final push!!
I'm fundraising for London’s Air Ambulance
At the age of 64 I am running my first marathon- the big one – the London Marathon. I am running for London’s Air Ambulance service, a charity with which I have a very close personal interest.
Our son Hugh had suffered from severe mental illness for a number of years . On 2 December 2020 he stood in front of a moving train. He suffered catastrophic injuries and would not be alive today without a fantastic team of medical helpers. London’s Air Ambulance flew to the site, took over his treatment then flew him to The Royal London Hospital where he was operated on within an hour from when he was hit. He was close to death on a number of occasions including at the scene, then in a coma for a month. He was in a Minimally Conscious State for 8 months, unable to respond or communicate in any way, and we were told at the top neuro rehab hospital he was sent to for assessment that there was very little prospect of further recovery. Miraculously Hugh started to ‘emerge’ then within weeks started talking in August 2021. Hugh is currently in a safe and caring environment in a neuro rehab home as he needs 24 hour nursing care. He enjoys music, puns, bird song, our dog on his lap and visits from family and friends.
We are so grateful to everyone who has given him the chance of life. In Hugh’s own words “thank you to the London Air Ambulance for helping me when I was at death’s door”.
As well as saving Hugh’s life that day, the LAA also crucially provided us with a liaison person, Frank, who was one of the medics at the scene. We cannot overstate the importance of his role (alongside Alice, neuro nurse from the Royal London hospital) in supporting us to keep hoping and to advocate for Hugh when his prospects were bleak.
It would be fantastic if you were able to support my marathon attempt by a donation to this lifesaving charity.
Thank you to my Sponsors
£208
Andrew Coker
£20.80
Brian Usmar
Well done John
£30
John Bennett
Well done John, great achievement
£20
Mike Thorndycraft
£31.20
Euan Villaro Briggs
£26
David & Kate Patterson
It’s a lot of hard work for a banana, but well done and good luck!!
£20.80
Carole Fisher
Best of Luck John.
£20.80
Clair Goble
Good luck today John
£36.40
Peter Briggs
Good luck going through the wall John. We know you'll do it! Such an amazing thing you are doing. Big love. Pete, Bea, Euan, Rory and Woody. Xxx
£26
Emma Watson
Best of luck John! Alex and Emma Watson
£31.20
Roger And Rebecca Randall
Hi John. Good luck on Sunday. It's a big challenge but I'm sure you will enjoy it and the crowds will help you round. We will look out for you on the TV. All the best to you, Shirley and your family. Roger and Rebecca x
£31.20
Ed, Jim And Trish
Good luck John
£20.80
Jill Rutland
Good luck John. Hope you have a good run!
£20.80
Helena Cooper
Good luck John! Great cause All the best from Rob & Helena
£31.20
Jane Rogerson
Good luck John!
£20
Deb Sutch
Hope the day goes well for you!
£10
Team Rolfe
Well done John, keep going we will be watching out for you.
£104
Carmen & Martin Williams
Good luck John on your marathon run. The London Air Ambulance is a great cause.
£52
David Nicholls
All the best John. Huge respect!
£20
Darran Potter
Well done John... there's no keeping up with you now!
£50
Martin Bell
Best wishes John. You'll smash it Martin
£31.20
Stephen Morris
£20
Lucy Palmer
£10.40
Gary Middlewood
Very best wishes to all the family. Gary & Dee
£100
Charlie & Milly
Good luck John!
£20.80
Ruthanne
Go John! I know you’ll be amazing as always! Love The Bittorf’s
£31.20
Stephen Brett
Fantastic cause, good luck John!
£52
Danny & Val Green
John, thumbs up and fingers crossed!! That is great news. We shall rise a glass at the end. Love to you all and 'bon courage'. Val & Danny
£20.80
Carole Simpson
Good luck on your marathon, a worthy cause indeed.
£20.80
Jimmy Lyons
Best of luck John! Great cause!
£20
Kate Shennan
£30
Dick Hogbin
Good luck John. We won’t expect to see you on the tennis court for a week or so after the run!
£10.40
Paul Mccreery
£50
Louise Green
Good luck John! Sending our love to you, Hugh and all your family x
£26
Kim And Paul Parrin
Have seen you pounding the streets to ensure you achieve your goal, and no doubt you will. All the very best. Paul and Kim
£31.20
Alli Joy
Great cause. Good Luck!
£50
Tom Cheesman
£26
Stuart Goodbody
Wishing you every possible success in this great adventure!
£52
Stefan Oelze
Good luck and have a fantastic time
£52
John And Rachael Taylor
With best wishes for success and in raising funds for this very worthy cause. Hope you have time for tennis as well as marathon training!
£208
Paul
Hi John. All the best luck in the world.Loads of best wishes to Hugh .Hope everyone are well. Air Ambulances are superb, I have seen them close up 3 times.
£20
Barbara Martinez
Good luck from Barbara Martinez
£250
Alex And Rosie
Go, John! I'm awestruck. Rosie (on her 11th) says it's all about playing mind games , breaking it down into manageable chunks. If that helps
£31.20
Lisa Gifford
What an amzing thing for you to do. Best of luck and love to your family.
£300
Robert Harley
Dear John, Wishing you the best of luck. Rob Harley
£100
John & Clare Williams
Good luck John. Best wishes to you and the family
£104
Chris Martin
Good luck John - you'll nail it and therefore prove that age is merely a number.....
£20.80
Finlay Shepherd
£104
Mark Hickson
£20.80
Helen O'brien
Best of luck John. Sending much love to you and all the family.
£104
Tariq Attia
Hugely impressive John, for an incredible cause. Best of luck and I'm sure you’ll smash it!
£104
Julian Freeston
A great cause. All the best for the run!!
£1.02k
Steve Morrison
Good luck John! What a brilliant thing to do, Keep on running! Love Steve and Gayle
£52
Sean Marley
Sending all my best John and good luck for the big run!
£100
Ian Robson
Great cause John. And quite a challenge though I’m sure you’ll make it. Only five months more for the training though so keep up those park runs and build up the mileage gradually. Know you will do it though!
£104
James/anna Brown
Hope Hughs recovery continues
£104
Alan And Mary Gibbins
Very best wishes for this
£26
Rachel & Lauren Neve-turney
Best of luck with the marathon John. Great cause x
£52
Gary Purser
Good luck John. Great work supporting this very deserving cause.
£25
Tracy Wicks
£31.20
The Hooks
A wonderful and brave thing to do! Best of luck from us all. Xxxx
£100
Steve Yianni
Good Luck John, Love from the Yianni's
£50
Philip Radburn
Good Luck John
£10
Darran Potter
Well done John Hope the training is going well!
£515
Benoit Alteirac
Humbling to read, but hope your efforts can help secure many more Frank's and Alice's for this world. I will raise a glass to you and Hugh when I'm next at St Julian's. All the very best Benoit and family
£20
Rosie Shepherd
What a wonderful thing to do John! I have every confidence in you.
£20
Emma Staines
Best of luck John. Lots of love Team Staines!
£10.40
Pj And Mike
I’m sure you will nail this John, the atmosphere will get you thru. Such a brilliant cause too xx
£10
Thr Barratts
Amazing John Good luck. I will be cheering for you. Lucy xx
£156
Charlie Pattinson
£20.80
Janette Burnard
Fantastic cause John, good luck in achieving your target.
£250
Anon
£5.20
Will & Simone
Best of luck John. You have so got this! You have the full support of all the Larks.
£27.04
Carrie Hitchman
Good Luck with the Marathon John, I'm sure you'll absolutely epic as usual.
£100
Chris And Kathy Taylor
This is brilliant John. All the best for the run. You will be fantastic.
£52
Jo Bates
Good luck John, you will be fabulous and we are all cheering you on. It's a fantastic cause and I am so pleased that Hugh is making progress. Love Jo xx
£50
Simon Pyle
A great thing to do. Hope it all goes well.
£50
Rob Brown
Good luck with the marathon John, that’s quite a distance, hope you get good weather for it. I’m really glad that the air ambulance were able to save Hugh and support you all through such challenging times. All the best for the run
£52
Maartje Horchner
Dear John, a marathon is no mean feat! I wish you all the best, strong legs and lots of positive vibes. All my love and best wishes to your son and family too!
£208
John Wagener
very glad to support the cause and so glad they were able to save your son's life. My only advice on your first marathon is pace yourself!
£50
Rachel Glaister
You've certainly been through quite a time of it John. I hope the gardening has bought some comfort - and good luck with the raving mad run! All best
£187.20
Louise Pedersen
£20.80
Louise Pedersen
£500
Mike Black
Great cause John and may you have chariots tied to your feet! Run well. M
£50
Wendy Darke + Stephen Batty
Wishing you every success John on your London Marathon and will be cheering you every step of the way for the wonderful London Air Ambulance service and team and most of all wishing Hugh, you and your family lots of love, from Wendy and Stephen xx great to hear that Hugh is enjoying the sound of birds singing to aid his recovery.
£26
Laura Taylor
It’s incredible that Hugh has made such progress and testament to the care and support he has received. Good luck on your first marathon John, I’m sure this cause will help keep you going. The Taylors
£40
Daisy And James
Good luck!
£1.02k
Jules & Cheryl Burns
Go for it
£50
Anonymous
Good luck with your training and all good wishes to Hugh and to your family.
£250
