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Rachel Cooper is turning personal loss into positive action by taking on the London Marathon to support St Elizabeth Hospice's vital work.
Why it matters: The hospice provided care for Rachel's mother before her death in January 2022 and offered bereavement support to her afterwards through their LivingGrief service.
Rachel has already raised over £1,000 for the hospice through a bingo and raffle night ahead of the 27th April event.
In her own words: "Running has really helped me navigate my grief, and I wanted to set myself a challenge while raising money for a charity that has directly helped me," Rachel said.
"The hospice was always there for mum, and our family after her death. The support we received in the year following her death was invaluable, especially as I had never experienced grief before."
By the numbers: St Elizabeth Hospice provides support to over 4,000 patients and families living with life-limiting illnesses across Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney each year.
These services cost around £12 million annually to deliver, with 70% of funds raised through community support including donations, fundraising challenges, retail shops and gifts in Wills.
Behind the scenes: Despite facing a foot injury during training, Rachel remains determined after completing her first half-marathon.
She will be running alongside her friend Beth and thousands of other participants in the iconic London Marathon.
What they're saying: Brandon Orton, Events and Challenges Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "On behalf of the hospice, I want to wish Rachel the best of luck for the London Marathon. She's already raised an incredible amount for the charity, and every penny will make a big difference to our services and those we care for."
The bottom line: Rachel's fundraising efforts highlight how personal experiences with hospice care often inspire community support for these essential services that rely heavily on public donations.
Those wishing to donate to Rachel's fundraising can visit https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/rachel-cooper-a6c01
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