A MELKSHAM woman will attempt to conquer the London Marathon next month in memory of her brother-in-law.
Keen runner Cheryl Scott will be raising money for local charity Dorothy House Hospice Care and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, a charity dedicated to the support of people with MND and those who care for them.
Cheryl said, “My brother-in-law, Darren Scott, was born and lived in Melksham, and he also worked for A.L. King roofing since leaving school. In 2015, Darren, aged 45, was diagnosed with MND. The most we knew about it then was the story of Stephen Hawking after watching the film ‘The Theory of Everything’.
“As a family we carried on as much as we could with our family games nights, holidays, birthday meals out, but it’s scary how quickly the disease took hold and knowing there is no cure is the worst thing, you feel helpless. Darren lost his fight on 5th March 2017 surrounded by his family. I knew if I was ever lucky enough to get a place for the London Marathon I would run for MND and Dorothy House. Darren thought I was mad doing all my running, but he was proud too.”
After five years of running and competing in various events, including three half-marathons, Cheryl was about to hang up her running shoes when she got the news that she had been successful in the public ballot for the London Marathon.
“I never thought in a million years I would get a place for London,” said Cheryl, “the only marathon I said I would ever put my body through! I remember looking at the post after work and noticing a magazine, thinking it was a ‘I’m sorry’ rejection magazine. I picked it up and through the clear gap I noticed a ‘OU’. ‘No it can’t be’, I thought tearing the wrapping off. I screamed, then I cried, mumbling ‘Oh my god you’re in,’ over and over.
“In all honesty I don’t find running easy. I even said a few days before I got the news that I wouldn’t be entering the London ballot again! I am currently up to 19 miles’ training with a 21-mile run planned for next week. I’m following a run/walk plan nicknamed ‘Jeffing’ (Jeff Galloway) which helps to cover the distance and with less risk of injury. The walking bits are only 30 seconds long but it’s enough to recover slightly before the next running segment.
“Primate Clothing in Bowerhill did an amazing job of putting a picture of Darren on my charity vest I’ll be wearing on the day. It’s a picture that captures Darren perfectly, he was full of character, full of life a family man with a heart of gold and he is missed every day.”
To sponsor Cheryl visit the website: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CherylScott7
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