Hospice Patient gives back by running the London Marathon

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When you think of Hospice services you may not think about a patient running a Marathon to say thank you for their care. But that is exactly what Lymphoedema patient, Brad Morris is doing in April.

Brad, aged 36 years old explains more:

“In July 2022, I was sadly involved in a serious motorcycle accident in which I almost lost my left leg. Very fortunately, the plastic surgery team at Addenbrookes Hospital were able to save my leg and performed a skin graft.”

Before his accident Brad was a keen athlete and had run distances between 5km up to half marathons as part of Triathlon Events and a few half marathon races.

“The recovery from my accident involved me progressing from a wheelchair to walking unaided again. My mobility was limited by swelling, months after the accident, so in late 2022 the hospital suggested I see the experts at the Lymphoedema Clinic, at Arthur Rank Hospice to help get things moving. At the time I had never heard of such a clinic, but they changed my life!

I attended my first appointment at the Hospice in early 2023. The team at the Lymphoedema Clinic spent time teaching me self-massage techniques, giving practical advice on movement, exercise and getting me specialist garments for my leg.”

Brad continued:

“Following a number of appointments, check-ins and hours of physio, I am fortunate to have made a near full recovery and am back to practicing the sports that I love. At a time when I was worried I’d never run again, Arthur Rank gave me the boost I so desperately needed. Today, thanks to their help, I’m nearly fully recovered and back to doing the sports I love.”

Since his accident, Brad has completed various local triathlons, the Brutal Triathlon at Snowdonia National Park, Duathlon and several mountain bike events and even ran his personal best at the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon in 2024. Brad is not content to stop there and has signed up to run his first ever Marathon! On Sunday 27 April he will put his leg to the ultimate test when he proudly joins 50,000 runners through the streets of London, along with nine other fellow #TeamArthur challengers.

Brad explained more:

“The Fundraising Team at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity have given me lots of helpful information on fundraising, clearly signposting the process of signing up and what I need to do on my journey to the London Marathon. They also organised some group events online and set up a team Whatsapp group for participants, which has been really useful for us to encourage and support each other and share information.”

Brad shared his key tips he has learnt so far, for preparing and running a marathon:

try out your race day kit before the event
workout a hydration and fuel plan that works for you
try to stay well with good hydration and vitamins
lastly, create a support network and talk about your needs and the help you need so you can navigate the training required during the winter season.

Brad explained his motivation when training during the dark and cold winter evenings and when he takes part in the London Marathon:

“I feel really lucky to be in a position where I have the unique privilege of fundraising for the very place that helped me in my recovery and to support an incredible charity that offers free services for adults in Cambridgeshire with an advanced serious illness, life-limiting condition and for those who need end of life care. It would be a pleasure to give back to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity by raising funds and promoting the much needed and very important work carried out there.”

“To have reached the point where I am taking on the challenge of running one of the most prestigious marathons, I hope to be fit, healthy and grateful that I am ready to give it my all. I want to soak up the atmosphere which I am sure will be amazing, get some cheers of support for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and make all the donors proud. I suspect it will be a day of mixed emotions, anticipation at the start, scared, nervous excitement and sweat and tears by the end.”

Brad concluded:

“I am grateful to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity for giving me the opportunity to support a key facility in my local community by raising money for them. I hope that my training, and hopeful completion of the Marathon will inspire people to face their own challenges, overcoming what life sometimes chucks at you.”

To support Brad please visit his Enthuse Page https://arhc.enthuse.com/pf/bradleymorris

If you would like to run for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, please visit arhc.org.uk/run email fundraising@arhc.org.uk or telephone 01223 675888.