By Melissa Baker
Throughout 2019, Wildwood will be taking part in a number of challenges, events, and team-building activities to celebrate our 25th anniversary. For my contribution, I decided to run 13.1 miles (a half-marathon) – because why not?!
On Sunday 24th February, the sun was shining, and I was preparing to run my third Brighton Half Marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. From Brighton Palace Pier, the course wound through Ovingdean cliffs, with some gorgeous panoramic views of the seafront, right through to the tourist-flocking Hove beach huts towards the finish line.
The gruelling 13.1 miles was worth it, thanks to a generous final fundraising total of £410, a new PB (sub-two hours – whoohoo!), and a bucket-full of Toffee Crisp’s at the end.
I decided to raise money for Macmillan for several reasons. Everyone’s life is affected by cancer in some way or another, and the charity does some incredible work campaigning for real change for those affected by cancer – below are just a few examples of the amazing work they’re doing:
Money and Cancer – Four in five people with cancer are £570 a month worse off as a result of their diagnosis – Macmillan aims to make money one less worry.
Cancer carers – Macmillan are campaigning to make sure the almost 1.5 million people in the UK who look after a family member, friend or neighbour with cancer get the support they need.
Life with cancer – Cancer can impact on everything from work, family, relationships and overall wellbeing. But life with cancer is still a life, and Macmillan can help those with the condition, live it.
End of life care – An estimated 48,000 people experience poor care in the final three months of their lives – people’s wishes about care and support at the end of life aren’t being met. This needs to change.
Being diagnosed with cancer – Macmillan wants the 2.5 million people who are already living with cancer – and those who will receive a diagnosis in the future – to understand that with the right information and the right support from the point of diagnosis, life with cancer can still be life.
Work and cancer – Each year almost 120,000 people of working age are diagnosed with cancer. Whether you are an employee, carer, business or health professional Macmillan can provide support and information about work and cancer.
Health and social care workforce – If we are going to ensure every cancer patient gets the right care in the future, we need a workforce able to meet this challenge. Macmillan is campaigning for a strategic approach to workforce planning, training and education; so that everyone with cancer has the highest standard of coordinated care and support during and after treatment.
Thank you to everyone for their support and donations – keep checking back for more updates on all things #Wildwood25th, and make sure you’re following us on Twitter and Instagram!
You can find our Wildwood PR fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/WildwoodPR