Last year, CHUF secured it’s first official London Marathon place for 2018. Our incredible runner, Alastair Graham, is training hard and we’re behind him every step of the way (….in spirit, not on foot!) On Sunday 22^nd April, Alastair is taking on this challenge in support of CHUF and we’re super grateful! He’s making history as our first ever official London Marathon runner.

Alastair and his wife Lauren have already taken on the Great North Run after their daughter, Marin, underwent open heart surgery at just 8 days old for a congenital heart condition called coarctation of the aorta.

“Lauren and I chose CHUF as a way of thanking the charity for the support they gave us and our heart warrior daughter. Having spent a lot of time with other families and seeing what they go through we also really wanted to give something back to a charity which helps so many. For Lauren and I, we always live with concerns and worries of what could and might have been if not for the heart unit. Knowing the charity is helping to keep everything running is greatly reassuring.”

Alastair has tackled the Great North Run twice before and regularly takes on 10k races and park runs at his home in Sheffield. This will be his first ever full marathon and we’re delighted he’s chosen to do it for CHUF. With training well underway, Alastair is running 3 to 4 times a week across Sheffield to get ready for the challenge of London and says he feels honoured to have been awarded the first ever London marathon place for us. We’re delighted to have him as part of the CHUF team.

Alastair’s fundraising goal is set at £2,000 which he hopes to hit well in advance of the big day on Sunday 22^nd April 2018. Encouraging others to take up challenges for CHUF, Alastair says:

“Putting our personal connection aside, fundraising for CHUF is raising money for a small charity that can offer a tangible benefit to help so many children and their families. You can really engage people in your fundraising journey. As Marin gets older and more aware of what her annual appointments involve, we want her to be as comfortable as possible. The charity comes into its own by offering facilities to occupy children and make their families comfortable.”

Alastair’s thoughts are currently focused entirely on the London marathon, but he hasn’t ruled out future events…

“Providing this is a success I would really like to attempt to do the New York marathon as this is where I met my beautiful wife, Lauren. She would definitely have to join me for that one!”

If you would like to support Alastair, you can donate to his JustGiving page here.

Good luck, Alastair!

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