Raising money for charity by running the London Marathon

We are running the LONDON MARATHON FOR CHARITY!!

I have been fortunate (or maybe unfortunate, I’m still debating that one) to have been offered a place to run in the world-renowned London Marathon. Of course, being the kindly person that I am, I convinced two of my lovely nieces to join me in this quest! Chante Henry and Niomi Swarray, like myself have begun our marathon training in earnest this year (we are not runners, but we will get there!!)

As part of the training, we will be taking part in organised runs along the way, the first of which for me was the York 10k on 16th February on a very cold Sunday morning! However, I did make a personal best on my running time which I am over the moon about. The next one will be an ‘It’s Grim up North’ half marathon on the 9th March & 23rd March along the Leeds/Liverpool canal.

All jokes aside, we are running in this marathon in memory of our loved ones and would like to raise money for two charities that are very close to our hearts but also have a massive impact on a much wider scale including education, research, mental health, physical health and wellbeing.

The first charity we are raising money for is the wonderful Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity who made a big impact on my big brother Brian Moore Swarray, aka BARBER B https://www.instagram.com/barberbbraintrainthejourney/ (also Chante’s uncle and Niomi’s dad) when he was sadly diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma in July 2021, he fought this disease valiantly but passed away in September 2023. We have been particularly unlucky as a family with this disease as my mum also sadly died from the same brain tumour in September 2004. They are both pictured below xx

Grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumours, affectionately known in the medical world as ‘The Terminator’ due to their aggressive growing abilities are always fatal. The average survival time for this type of tumour after surgery and therapy is 12-18 months with only 25% of glioblastoma patients surviving more than one year, and only 5% of patients more than five years.

The second charity we are raising money for is RJC Dance. I whole heartedly believe that movement is crucial to mental health, in fact I know from personal experience it is crucial for our wellbeing!! RJC Dance has a 30+ year history of service delivery in the city of Leeds to global majority communities. A multi-award winning, inclusive, Black-led dance organisation, empowering young people and adults through dance, movement and exercise. We are a beacon in the community at the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown and engage with 200+ young people and their families on a weekly basis.

RJC Dance exists to provide culturally diverse opportunities, spreading the joy of Black British dance/culture, irrespective of social/economic/cultural barriers, offering a value for money approach to families’ ability to access high quality, creative experiences.

Youth development and education is at the heart of our work, and we are committed to vitality, active participation, creativity and renewal.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and supporting us on our marathon journey – please get involved and give as little or as much as you can, and if you can’t, then sending good vibes is appreciated just as much. Cheryl, Chante & Niomi xxx