2023 Fundraising stories

Brentwood Half Marathon has always been a charity event and over the years has raised millions of pounds. As well as the money made from race entries and T-shirt sales, runners often do their own fundraising for individual charities. Here are the moving and inspirational stories from those running for a cause.

Eric Watts

'I shall be running the Brentwood half in March not only to support St Francis but also to help raise funds for improved radiotherapy equipment at Southend Hospital.'

'I survived cancer twice as a teenager then went on to work as a doctor at Basildon and I would refer patients to Southend Hospital if they needed radiotherapy.'

He is an avid runner and fundraiser. He has completed the London Marathon eighth times and as a Brentwood local he has also run in the Brentwood half multiple times. 'I have decided to make this year my last year of competitive racing, at the age of 75 it takes me as long now to run 1/2 marathon as it did to run a full one 40 years ago!'

Ian Maloney

My name is Ian Maloney, over recent years I have come to witness several cases of dementia in friends and family. It is a particularly cruel drip by drip removal of a persons character and the memories they hold. It affects their loved ones so deeply, as the person they are close to ebb's away and yet is still there, in physical form. Dementia can strike at a younger person as well as the elderly. This is what happened to Susan my sister in law. I first met Sue in the mid 1970's as the older sister of a close school friend, Steve. I later married Steve's younger sister Julie. Sue became a matriarch figure of the extended family. Being a state registered nurse, Sue was one of the most hard working and caring people I have ever met.

In her early fifties, Sue started to suffer the effects of dementia. Sue gave the best care she could to others during her life. It is true, you reep what you sow. Her 3 boys put their lives on hold to take care of her. Their respective partners and friends also got fully involved in trying to make the best of the remaining life that Sue had left. They set up a constant rota of care for her and maintained a calm environment for her for as long as they could, in her own home. They are all hero's.

We sadly lost Sue in October 2022, She was just 63 years old.

I took up long distance running about 12 years ago, running many half and full marathons, unfortunately my best fitness has long gone, but while the raw loss of Sue is still in our minds, I want to have a go at the 2023 Brentwood Half Marathon to try and raise funds for Alzheimer's Research UK.

I first did this event in 2012 taking 1hr 46 minutes. I will be lucky if I can do it in less than 3 hours now.

Anything you can spare to donate to this cause will be so much appreciated. It will not only help those who suffer with dementia but it will help those who help them. It will also go towards research for ways to reduce the effects and suffering for those hit by this devastating illness.

Anything you can spare to donate to this cause will be so much appreciated. It will not only help those who suffer with dementia but it will help those who help them. It will also go towards research for ways to reduce the effects and suffering for those hit by this devastating illness.

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If you are running in the half marathon but currently not for a charity, please consider fundraising for Saint Francis Hospice or Brentwood Theatre. Both charities are part of the organising committee and would be thrilled to receive your support.