Chandlers Managing Director Gavin Pell and old University friend and local Lincolnshire farmers wife Dr Caroline Johnson MP are running the London Marathon 2024 in aid of Bliss, who support the parents of babies who are born prematurely or poorly.
Bliss do some very important work supporting the parents of premature babies, and helping them cope in a practical as well as emotional manner at a very busy and stressful time for a lot families.
Taking on their first Marathon’s in their mid-40’s has been the catalyst for both Gavin and Caroline to get fit and healthy! A project that started almost 12 months ago with a light hearted challenge between a group of friends, and has led to this Marathon run.
Gavin, has direct experience of support from Bliss so understands the experiences of families with a baby born premature or sick and Caroline, through her work as a NHS paediatrician has cared for many babies from 22 weeks up to term needing medical, cardiac and surgical treatment in our local hospitals. In her role as MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Caroline has also raised awareness in Parliament about how we can support those whose babies have been born premature or sick, or who have tragically lost their baby and campaigned for measures to improve maternity care and reduce brain injuries at birth.
Anything you can spare for our fundraiser would be hugely appreciated - 1 in every 7 babies born in the UK will need specialist care. Your donation to our page will help Bliss to drive improvements in neonatal care and provide support to all families with a baby born premature or sick. We hope you will be able to support our fundraising activity.
If you would like to track Gavin’s progress on the day, he will be bib number 52294, starting at 10:09 AM in wave number 3, and you can track progress around the course here on the official app.
Both Howard Pell (Chairman) and Felicity Hart (nee Pell, Parts Director) have previously run the London Marathon in 1982 and 2004 respectively, and so the pressure is on for Gavin to join the family achievement with both of them achieving a time of around 4 hrs in the London Marathon, with significantly quicker times in other Marathons; a target has been set to aim for. Gavin is looking forward to a big steak at the end to celebrate whilst Caroline is just hoping to finish in one piece!
Gavin and Caroline had a fantastic day in London with Gavin finishing in 3hrs 25min 21sec. Together they have raised so far a total of £8,563 (including gift aid), which is ahead of the target of £5000. They were supported on the day by family and friends and they would both like to thank everyone for their generous contributions and support.