Marathon runner kicks off fundraising

Heather Wells from Wantage will achieve her dream of running the London Marathon in 2017 to raise money for MHA and she launched her fundraising with a festive run and breakfast event at her local church.

53-year-old Heather is running the London Marathon on 23^rd April for MHA, the award-winning charity providing care, accommodation and support services for older people throughout Britain. She is hoping to raise £5,000 for the charity and the festive event is the first of many fundraising activities she has planned.

Heather was joined by friends from her local running club to take part in a six-mile training run. Other people from the local community and members of and members of the Wantage Methodist Church, including the Minister were also there to walk or run if they were able or join in activities in the church, including enjoying a delicious breakfast!

Heather says: “I’m delighted to be running the London Marathon for MHA, it’s a cause very close to my heart as I have worked within the area of dementia so I know the benefits of the amazing work MHA does in this area. I am particularly keen to support their Music Therapy service that they provide for dementia residents, I play in a local band so know the power of music and I also saw the wonderful effect music had on my grandmother before she passed away.”

The London Marathon takes place on the 23^rd April 2017 and Heather will join the thousands of runners taking to the streets of the capital. Heather continues: “I have run other marathons including Rome but London has always been on the list, this will probably be my last marathon too so it’ll be great to finish at one of the best marathon’s in the world!”

Jessica Storer, Head of Community Fundraising at MHA said: “It’s fantastic that Heather is running the London Marathon for MHA, she is clearly very passionate about the cause and her festive event was a great way to start her fundraising. All the money she raises will go towards improving the lives of older people across the UK and help us achieve our aim of reducing isolation and loneliness among older people through our activities and projects in local communities.”