May 01, 2026 - 151 views
A team of determined runners has delivered an outstanding fundraising triumph, raising an incredible £63,365 for Tŷ Gobaith and Hope House Children’s Hospices after taking on the iconic London Marathon.
The group of 20 runners travelled to the capital to complete the 26.2-mile challenge in glorious sunshine, cheered on by supporters lining the route. Every single participant crossed the finish line, marking a powerful day of endurance, emotion and community spirit.
Alongside the main team, three virtual runners also took on the marathon distance closer to home, synchronising their efforts with the London event and adding to the remarkable fundraising total.
Among those taking part were families and staff closely connected to the hospices, making the achievement all the more personal.
One of the most moving stories came from Sean McCarthy, who ran in support of his son Theo, who receives care and respite at Hope House. Sean was met at the finish line by Theo and other family members.
He said: “It was the hardest but most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. People were so friendly and shouting words of encouragement all the way round.
“At the end of the day this was about raising money for Hope House. Thank you to everyone who donated, the money raised will make a big difference.
“My time may not have been the quickest, but I got to the finish line and for that I’m very proud of myself.”
For hospice staff, the experience was equally memorable. Manon John, activities support worker at Tŷ Gobaith, completed the course in 4 hours 34 minutes, describing both the challenge and the atmosphere.
She said: “It was amazing, a bit painful for the last four miles, but the atmosphere and people were unbelievable.
“It was an experience I’ll never forget!
“Thank you for the opportunity.”
Adding to the strong team spirit, local MP Helen Morgan also took part, finishing in 4 hours 20 minutes, sharing on social media her pride at helping raise vital funds for the hospices.
The virtual challenge brought its own inspiring efforts. Qualified children’s nurse Jessica Roberts, from Anglesey, ran her marathon route to the iconic Menai Bridge, weaving through local villages and raising £580 in the process.
She said: “I decided to go through all the little villages. It was brilliant and I really enjoyed it.”
Behind the scenes, lead fundraiser Bekki Fardoe praised the dedication of every runner involved.
She said: “We are overwhelmed with the total raised from our runners!
“They have done so well with their fundraising and the gruelling training.
“We can’t thank them enough for supporting our hospices and helping ensure we can continue to be here for local children and families.
“Our applications are now open for 2027, and we are looking forward to supporting the next cohort of runners.”
