You may have seen Laura Allard pounding the pavements of Shepperton, in training for her forthcoming marathon. She considers herself very fortunate to have gained a place in this years London Marathon, which will take place in early October. Laura is running as part of Team Shooting Star, a local hospice for children. Many of you will know that Shooting Star Children’s Hospices supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families across London and Surrey. Whether lives are measured in days, weeks, months or years, the charity is there to make every moment count. They support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
Laura is proud to run for Shooting Star Chase. “I have always done a bit of running, nothing serious but it’s always been a dream to run a marathon. Then a few years ago I suffered a minor back injury resulting in surgery. Need-less to say this put paid to running for a while! But with the support of family and friends and a great deal of determination to get back my fitness, I’m running again”. She completed her first half marathon last month.
Laura has already participated in a couple of sponsored walks for Shooting Star, so when they invited her to take part in the marathon, she jumped at the chance. She says “As well as fulfilling a dream of mine at the mature age of 55, I’ll also be helping to raise much needed funds for the charity”.
Laura has set up a JustGiving page and do-nations are doing well, but she could always do with some more help. She is undertaking other fund raising activities, including a table top sale. Her colleagues at Longacres garden centre have been really supportive and have inspired her to think outside the box, contacting anyone and everyone to gain sponsorship and spread the word so that she can help this amazing charity. The link to her page is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Laura-Allard7