Not only did she fulfil a lifetime ambition by competing in this year’s London Marathon for #TeamShaftesbury, she went all out with the fundraising, securing over £5,000 before the big day. A barn dance, bake sales, coffee morning, raffle, Easter egg trail run – anything she could think of to raise funds for Shaftesbury.
But it wasn’t just about reaching a fundraising target.
When her mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year, Sue wanted to educate herself about the disease in the belief that “knowledge is power”. She sought help and advice from our Memory and Dementia Support Service in Suffolk and took her mum, Elizabeth, along to one of our awareness events.
“The biggest thing for mum was that she came away from that event knowing she wasn’t alone. The staff were knowledgeable and reassuring which meant so much to us at a really worrying time,” she recalls.
Since then, Sue’s made it her mission to make sure anyone she comes into contact with knows what support is available from Shaftesbury. Our dementia advisors were drafted in to help, attending Sue’s fundraising events to give talks and answer questions.
“I’m sure everyone got sick to death of hearing about me and the marathon! But it was never about the training, or even the fundraising. I was more concerned with raising awareness about what Shaftesbury can offer families like us,” says 46-year-old Sue.
Our service operates a local helpline seven days a week so anyone can call for advice and self-refer themselves. “Knowing someone is always on the end of the phone is a lifeline. It’s amazing to have someone to listen. I want to learn whatever I can from the team,” says Sue.
A holistic assessment was carried out to advise how Elizabeth could be supported with everyday living. As she’s still very active and likes to do things for herself, the family have been encouraged to set reminders and have notes available for help with things like cooking.
Our dementia service has also supported them with administrative tasks, such as emergency care planning, helping with Lasting Power of Attorney, and applying for council tax reduction and care attendance allowance – available to those over pension age who have care needs. Carers assessments will be completed for Sue and her dad to consider what other help they might need in future.
Since she was a young child, Sue has been watching the London Marathon on TV and always aspired to take part. “It’s so humbling and emotional to witness the sacrifices people make to take part – just hearing the TV theme tune sets me off crying!” she says.
Despite entering the ballot every year for the past 10 years, Sue had been unsuccessful until she applied to be on #TeamShaftesbury soon after her mum’s diagnosis, becoming our top fundraiser this year.
With a track record of raising money for causes she cares deeply about, Sue’s zeal for drumming up sponsorship came as no surprise to friends and family. She somehow found the time and energy to organise numerous fundraising events on top of full-time work, marathon training and busy family life with two teenage children.
Fortunately, she has a good support network within her local running club, the Capel Cheetahs, who she volunteers for as a Run Leader. Their encouragement and training helped Sue keep up the momentum. She also credits her husband for being “her rock” throughout, despite the fundraising turning their house and lives upside down!
“They all knew I would smash my target, it’s just who I am. I tried everything I could think of to drive up the total. I love a challenge!” she says.
The barn dance alone raised over £2,000 as it included what Sue called a “mega raffle” with almost 60 prizes. Golf days, football match tickets, haircuts, champagne and luxury chocolates were all up for grabs having approached everyone she could think of to donate.
Even in the days leading up to the marathon when she should have been resting, Sue hosted a two-day bake sale at work, making most of the cakes herself. Her efforts continued beyond the marathon day itself; she jokes about wearing her medal to a dental appointment to see if she could persuade her dentist to “stick in a few quid!”
The marathon itself was not easy. Sue admits she had a wobble towards the end, exhausted by the warm weather and aching limbs. Witnessing other runners dropping like flies around her, she recalls threatening to call it a day at one point. Fortunately, her family were there to cheer her on. Mile 17 was a real low point but a hug from her son and his words of encouragement gave her the motivation to keep going. Sue’s friend Teresa ran beside her, giving her much-needed encouragement throughout the months of training and on the day itself.
Reflecting on the whole experience and a year of “marathon madness” (the name given to the group of women she trained with), Sue says: “I tried so many times to get a place so had started to believe it would never happen for me. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity. It’s been emotional and overwhelming and I’ve loved every minute – well almost all of it!”
Needless to say, she has already entered the ballot for next year.
“Sue’s passion and incredible drive to make a difference through her fundraising activities is truly inspiring. We are so grateful to have her support and are delighted she was able to achieve a personal ambition to run the marathon,” says Alana Page, Operations Manager at Suffolk Memory and Dementia Support.
(Feature photo credit: Casey Watson, Ravensbourne University)