A Persimmon Homes finance director who vowed to his wife to run the London Marathon before she passed away has raised £9,500 for charity.
David Richardson, who is the finance director at Persimmon Homes East Midlands, completed the gruelling the 26.2 mile challenge raising a four-figure sum for the Peterborough Hospital at Home scheme.
David’s wife Noreen lost her battle with cancer in 2011 but he promised her he would take to the capital’s street for the charity. Peterborough Hospital at Home allowed Noreen to be cared in the family home in her final months and provided the family with much needed support.
After 17 weeks of training that began on New Year’s Eve, 42-year-old David finished the marathon in four hours and 28 minutes.
He said, “It was very emotional on the starting line. I was welling up and it was difficult not to because I was running for Noreen. The first few miles were quiet but as I went on the crowds were incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it – it was just absolutely amazing. They were encouraging me all the way and telling me to keep going and that’s what was driving me forward.”
But it didn’t go according to plan for David who faced challenges along the way. He explained, “I got to around mile 23 and I thought ‘I’m going to do this’ but my left leg just gave way with cramp. I had to stop and I went to the side of the course and the crowd were all there telling me not to give up. I carried on and it was incredibly tough when I crossed the line I was just completely exhausted both physically and emotionally.”
David’s efforts have seen him smash his £2,500 donations target with funding almost at the £10,000 mark.
He added, “It will mean so much to Peterborough Hospital at Home to receive this money. It’s not just for them it’s for the people who receive the care they can offer and it means more people can be allowed the dignity of being treated in their own home.”
