Bourne mum to run London Marathon for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in memory of her late mum
A Bourne mum is finally set to line up at the London Marathon - a year after a car crash ruined her chances.
Helen Craft is running in memory of her late mum, Rosemary, and to raise money for the Sue Ryder charity.
It is Helen's way of saying thank-you to the Thorpe Hall hospice, run by the charity, where Rosemary, a former Macmillan specialist cancer nurse, was looked after in her final days.
"As a Macmillan nurse mum used to help people every step of the way and then she had to go down that road herself," she said.
"They do wonders there at Thorpe Hall so I'm glad to do it for that charity - I've had a lot of support from them during my training."
Helen (47) looked set to achieve her ambition last year when she finally got through the London Marathon ballot after six years of trying.
But having begun training for the world-famous event, a car accident three months before the big day left her with cracked ribs and unable to run.
"My breathing has got better of late, but it's taken a while to get back to running and the capacity of what I used to do before the accident," she explained.
She will be joined in the capital by her husband Paul and eldest son George, while dad Peter will be watching back home in Market Deeping.
"Dad can't believe I'm doing it," Helen said. "I bet he'll be glued to the telly to see if he can pick me out."
Having been a keen runner at school, Helen picked the habit back up about 10 years ago and helped out at a women's Couch to 5k group.
She also has experience of the 26.2-mile distance having completed the virtual London Marathon three years ago during lockdown.
Training peaked with an unorthodox work commute home from Collyweston - swapping the car for a four-hour long run.
"I'm aiming for four-and-a-half hours so I'll just do what I can," she added. "I just don't want any heavy rain!"
She has so far raised £800 and would like to reach £1,000 by race day as an extra motivation - alongside the memory of Rosemary who died when Helen was 21.
"I wear my mum's wedding ring and when I'm not doing very well on a run I give it a twiddle."
To donate, visit 2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/helen-craft