Shropshire's Dawn has marathon mission to support hospital

Dawn Humphries, head of the personal injury team at Lanyon Bowdler, helps clients rebuild their life following a serious injury. 

She has worked closely with the spinal injuries unit at  Robert Jones and Agnes Hospital in Oswestry for many years. 

And now she is running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April to raise money for Horatio’s Garden, which her company has supported ever since its inception in 2018. 

Back then,  Dawn ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon to help with fundraising for the garden. 

“Over the years, I have visited clients at the hospital, and have watched the garden develop and become a thing of beauty," said Dawn. 

"It also has a very functional and practical role in supporting the patients, giving them a wonderful outdoor sanctuary, assisting in their rehabilitation and nurturing their wellbeing after spinal injury.

“The garden is named after Horatio Chapple, a schoolboy who wanted to be a doctor and noticed the lack of outdoor spaces for patients whilst volunteering at the Salisbury Spinal Unit. 

"Tragically his life was cut short in 2011 at just 17, when his camp was attacked by a bear during a school expedition to Svalbard in the Arctic. I was so proud to be a little part in supporting the development of Horatio’s Garden in 2018 and am thrilled to continue raising further monies for its continuing good work by running the London Landmarks Half Marathon once again.”

The half marathon takes place on April 6 and starts on The Mall, taking in sights such as Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and St Paul’s, crossing Westminster Bridge before finishing at Downing Street.

“It’s a wonderful event, with incredible support along the whole route, including West End musical casts out singing, as well as bands, choirs and of course the amazing crowds which just keep you going,” she said. 

“It’s my favourite race - and has the added bonus of being half the distance of the full marathon. I am most looking forward to the atmosphere at the finish, with the incredible Chelsea Pensioners presenting the medals, and of course my husband with chocolate.

“Although I have done this race before, it will still involve a lot of dedication and training, but I’m very determined to achieve this goal. It will be an honour and privilege to be part of the team raising money for such an important facility here in Shropshire.”

  To donate, visit Dawn’s Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/dawn-humphries-1722512256873