Rachael raises £4,145 for Bowel Cancer Research

Racquets Fitness Centre member Rachael Parrey along with 4 other ladies from Racquets Fitness Centre took part in the London Marathon 2019 in April this year.

Rachael, running for Bowel Cancer Research, has raised an amazing £4,145.

Rachael has always wanted to run the London Marathon and fate seemed to push her to achieve this dream this year.

Her life has been touched numerous times by Bowel Cancer over the past few years.  Rachael was running for Lisa, a young friend who passed away earlier this year, for her Nan and her Grandad both of whom are currently successfully fighting the disease.

Rachael said ‘This year is the big birthday 40 years for me so I needed to do a big challenge.  With Lisa, my nan and my grandad all fighting the disease it seemed that raising money for this charity was what I was meant to be doing this year.  It was destiny.’

Rachael described the race as feeling really good for the first 18 miles during which she could enjoy the music and the smells of people enjoying their BBQs outside.  Then the crowds helped push her through the hardest time and get her to the finish.   Throughout the training and towards the end of the race keeping in mind why she was running this race kept Rachael going.

Rachael would like to thank Nig Pattison for using his experience to help get the girls through the crowds to the start line on the day and for his support throughout the race.  Also to thank her training partners Claire Finch and Lauren Addis who were also running on the day.   And to Trish Clempson with whom Rachael ran the warm up race at Dorney Lake.

Rachael said ‘The finish was emotional.   It was very surreal as you come turn the corner at Buckingham Palace and you really can’t quite believe that you have got there to the end’.

Rachael has entered the ballot for next year – not quite sure if she really wants to do it again – destiny will make that decision for her.

Rachael would like to thank everyone who has donated and helped with the quiz and the cake sales and raised such an amazing amount of money.