Daughter honours late mum in half marathon challenge

THE daughter of Melksham woman Celia Marsh, who died after having an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger wrap in 2017, will be running the Bath Half Marathon in her mother’s memory. 

Ashleigh Grice is running the Bath Half Marathon on 15th October in honour of her mother who died after she ate a wrap that was labelled vegan but contained traces of milk, from a Pret A Manger branch in Bath. 

Ashleigh said, “It’s quite nerve-racking as it’s getting closer, it’s becoming more realistic that it’s about to happen. It’s exciting too.”  

Ashleigh will be running in the event to raise funds for The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation – which was set up by the parents of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died in 2016 after having an allergic reaction to a baguette from Pret A Manger branch at Heathrow, which contained sesame seeds that was not labelled. 

Following the inquest into her death, a campaign by Natasha’s parents, Nadim and Tanya, drew national attention to the legal loophole in the food law that meant prepackaged foods made and sold on the same premises didn’t have to list their ingredients. The couple set up the allergy research foundation in their daughter’s name and successfully campaigned for Natasha’s Law, which now makes it mandatory for allergy advice to be displayed on foods made up on premises. 

Ashleigh explained, “Throughout it all, our family has become quite good friends with Natasha’s parents and they have really supported us the whole way through. 

“This is my first fundraising event and if it goes well, there might be more. I did have a marathon in mind but the training has made me think twice. I did the Corsham 10k and then thought right, I will do the half! 

“I think my mum would find me crazy doing this. She wasn’t much of a runner and she wasn’t a fan of running, she was more into her gym classes, but she would be really proud of me doing it.” 

On the day of the event, Ashleigh says she will have lots of support from family, friends and work colleagues, along with Natasha’s parents, who will be travelling from London, to give their support. 

Donations can be given via – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ashleigh-Grice1?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_transactional_–_donation_received_–_nth_donation&utm_content=21c36f45-902d-4a16-9007-7e82ab8ce01e&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1694554204368