Billy's Run for SHC
We spoke to the lovely Billy about why he chose to run the London Marathon this year and raise funds for Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
What inspired you to participate in the London Marathon?
I applied completely at random – I always like watching the videos every year of people finishing and thought “oh I'll apply, I wont get in, I have a 2% chance!”
Do you have any personal stories or reasons for running that you're happy to share?
My mum got into running about 5 years ago, and I know that me completing it would make her super happy (and jealous!). She was more excited for the day than I was. She always nags me to come running with her as I think she sees it as son/mother bonding so I made sure that my last training run was completed with her and her running group!
Have you done anything like this before?
I completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in 2023, so I knew I could walk the distance - I just wasn’t sure I could run it!
What made you choose Sheffield Hospitals Charity as your fundraising charity?
With it being probably the only ever time I will do a marathon, I wanted to choose a charity close to my heart, that would motivate me to complete the training and hold myself accountable. I was born 10 weeks early and SCBU at Jessop (Special Care Baby Unit) pretty much saved my life, so it is the least I could do… Shout out to Rachael Gibson for looking after me 26 years ago!
Do you have any advice or tips you’d give to others about getting into running, fundraising for SHC or doing the London Marathon?
Do not miss a training session, cut out alcohol and just don’t stop even when it's hard, the crowd will get you through the day.
Fundraising is the hardest part as you feel that you are constantly asking people, sharing it, posting it, speaking about it. It will become your personality, but it is so worth it seeing it make a difference to the charity!
What specific goals or milestones are you hoping to achieve through your fundraising efforts?
I was honestly happy to hit £1000, so to reach over £3500 was just so surreal, a massive thank you to everyone on that part.
Have you received any support?
I received so much support from my family, friends, work colleagues. They were constantly checking in on me and spurring me on right from the start of training to the finish line.
What would you say to others who are considering getting involved in raising funds for SHC to support Sheffield’s NHS?
It is an amazing local charity, who work endlessly to support the NHS in Sheffield. An absolute credit to the NHS.
Have you got a London Marathon place for 2025? Click here if you'd like to fundraise for Sheffield Hospitals Charity through this incredible challenge.
Or, Click here to take on the Sheffield 10k as part of Team SHC and raise money for important projects to support Sheffield's NHS - members of staff from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, or Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust can get their place free of charge!