Shropshire health worker taking on London Marathon for hospital charity
A Shropshire health worker is getting ready to take on her first London Marathon and hopes to raise more than £2,000 for charity.
Amanda Cheeseman started working as a clinical support worker with the bariatric team at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust last March.
Amanda, who lives near Wem, has pledged to raise at least £2,000 for SaTH Charity, which pays for equipment, patient comforts, staff education and research and supports patients and staff at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.
She said: “As part of my role, I give advice on healthy living, including physical activity and exercise.
“Initially, many of our patients feel they are unable to undertake exercise because of their excess weight or health conditions.
"Despite this, however, many start to make small changes and are soon taking part in their local charity running events.
“I think this is brilliant, and such an inspiration to others on their journey, including me.
"I wanted to follow their lead by challenging myself to achieve my goal of running in the London Marathon - including all the ups and downs along the way - and show them that I have been inspired by them and hopefully to inspire them in return to make goals and achieve them.”
Amanda has running experience, but believes that she should have done more.
Challenge
She said: “I have completed a half marathon, but then rested on my laurels for far too long. I needed to put my money - and body - where my mouth is and set myself a new challenge for 2020.
“The London Marathon is perfect. It’s a long-term commitment that takes planning, dedication, determination, and tears and smiles to complete.
“I’m ready to give it my all to represent the bariatric department and SaTH to help support the people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales to lead more healthy lives and have fun whilst doing it.”
Andrew James, from SaTH Charity, said: “We had some incredibly worthy entries for our one London Marathon place and choosing a winner was a very, very tough task.
“I’d like to thank everyone who applied and I’m only sorry we don’t have more places to offer.
“Amanda spoke so eloquently about why she wanted to run the marathon for us that, in the end, she was the person we picked.
"We wish her every success in her training and, of course, for the day itself.”
People can donate by visiting justgiving.com/campaign/2020
