Running the London Marathon plus 100 miles more: Jane’s Story

Jane and Leigh’s friendship began nine years ago, when Jane moved into a house only two doors down.

“Our girls became best friends at school and from that moment on we were solid friends,” Jane says. “Leigh made everyone feel welcome. Her door was always open to everyone. She was kind, funny, sharp‑tongued in the best way, and she had this incredible ability to sort people out and lift them up. She was a force of nature – a one‑off.”

Leigh, a mum of 15‑year‑old triplets and wife to Simon, lived with triple negative breast cancer for five years before being admitted to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

“The nurses had so much time for her and the family,” Jane says. “They made her feel safe, comfortable, not frightened, and special. The girls could visit whenever they wanted. It made her last days feel normal for them, as much as they could be. And it enabled Simon to spend precious time with her. That is priceless.

“Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice is calm and gentle. You walk in and you feel like everyone has time for you, no matter what they are doing.”

Last year, Jane ran the London Marathon in full Buzz Lightyear fancy dress, FaceTiming Leigh along the route.

“I cried a lot of the way,” she says. “It was extremely emotional.”

Before Leigh died, Jane promised she would run the marathon again and then run all the way home to the hospice in her honour.

Jane will run around 34 miles a day from London back to Cheltenham, with Mark and friends joining her for parts of the route. The final stretch up the hospice drive is expected to be an emotional moment, with local schools and community members planning to join her, including Leigh’s daughters.

“I would love a hundred people behind me for the last mile,” Jane says. “One hundred miles, one hundred people, one hundred thousand pounds raised for Sue Ryder!”

Mark’s own family experience also inspires their continued support.

“Sue Ryder has been a part of our lives for many years before Leigh died,” he says. “My younger brother passed away from cancer five years ago and was cared for by Sue Ryder Nurses. And my mum died at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice – she wanted to be there and felt lucky and privileged she was able to. The team made a difficult time a lot easier.”

Together, Jane and Mark have already raised more than £200,000 for Sue Ryder and this year alone they aim to raise another £100,000. Jane also plans to take on the Chicago Marathon and Berlin Marathon in 2026 for Sue Ryder.

Asked what she thinks Leigh would make of the challenge, Jane smiles.

“She would think it was absolutely amazing. She was brilliant, and this is all for her.”

Jane knows that the London Marathon will feel very different this year.

“Running the London Marathon itself will be emotional – London is like nothing else,” she says. “People shout your name, you get selfies with kids, and when you turn the corner at Big Ben there is no feeling like it as you start the run down towards the Mall with the crowds screaming. But this year will be different. I will be thinking about Leigh the whole way.”