Carys Gilbert, 31, will assume the challenge of 26 miles on Sunday, April 27, in honor of his father, Neal, who was treated at Queen’s hospital for rare blood cancer before he died in March.
Neal, 63, from Hutton in Brentwood, was diagnosed with high -grade B CNS lymphoma in October 2024.
This type of cancer begins in B cells, which are white blood that helps the body to fight infections.
Due to the seriousness of his illness, Neal had to be isolated during the week, with television in the room he gave him comfort when he separated from his family.
Carys, from Billericay, is running to raise funds for Sky B Ward, where Neal was treated.
She has already raised more than £ 4,600 for the beneficial organization King George and Queen’s Hospital, and is still donations at Justgiving.com/page/cars-ssss-sgilbert-1.
Carys said: “I want to help where I can and my dad’s care was very good, so I’m raising money to return something.
“Sky B staff was very affectionate and gave him a lot of comfort.
“They helped maintain my father’s spirit with his positive attitude and always made time to answer our questions.
“Television brought my father a lot of comfort when I was separated from us and I am raising money so that other patients with chemotherapy who cannot see their families feel a little less alone.”
Neal, father of two children and a grandfather of two, had worked at a bank before becoming a goalkeeper at the Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford.
Kyra Swaby, communications and marketing officer of the beneficial organization King George and Queen’s Hospital, said: “We are incredible grateful to Carys for choosing to support the beneficial organization of the King George & Queen hospitals in memory of her father.
“His dedication to the collection of funds for Sky B Ward, where he was treated, is really inspiring.
“Each high pound will help us continue to provide life support for patients and families that go through difficult times.
“We will encourage it in every step of the road.”
