Simone is Chair of Governors at King David School in Birmingham, She has recently completed a solo Virtual London Marathon to raise funds for her chosen Charity – The Lullaby Trust, which provides a vital lifeline to support parents who have tragically lost a child or baby, referred to as Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood (SUDC) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Every year, around a third of the charity’s income is raised by supporters taking part in challenge events or holding their own fundraising events. As most of the fundraising events have been cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic, there has been a significant negative impact on its income and the ability to deliver for bereaved parents.
Following the tragic death of the child of her friend, Simone chose to run a marathon and raised £1,000 which, given the absence of fundraising opportunities over the last six months, will make a big impact on a small charity.
Simone said: “With almost no one around, the atmosphere and absence of cheering and throngs of supporters made it eerily lonely at times, though I made do with just the sight of a single heron and a few squawking geese to distract my mind from the relentless, seemingly unending steps ahead.”
When she completed 26.2 miles, she was despondent to find the London Marathon app telling her she still had 2 miles to run. She continued running and according to her Garmin, she ran a mega 28-mile marathon.
Simone wants to thank all of the corporate donors and individuals who have kindly supported and encouraged her, especially to her two boys and husband, mum, dad, uncle Henry and running partners Elizabeth, Gee, Jason, Yi, Caroline, Rob – to name but a few.