Mr. Evans, our Headteacher, has revealed that he will be taking on the 2025 London Marathon in support of a local charity, Halton Haven Hospice. This will be his third marathon, following two successful fundraising runs in previous years.

 

Mr. Evans first tackled the marathon challenge in 2017 when he ran the Liverpool Marathon for Cancer Research in memory of his mother, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2015. His efforts were well-received, raising £1,300 for the cause. In 2018, he returned to the London Marathon, running for Sense, and raised £1,750 despite the gruelling conditions, with that year’s event becoming the hottest on record (which he may have told one or two people about). Although he promised never to run a marathon again, deep down, he always wished he hadn’t said those words. Year after year, he entered the ballot, relieved when he received the ‘Sorry, you don’t have a place’ email. But this time, the unexpected email arrived with the words, ‘You’re in!’ – and so, the challenge was set.

 

Celebrating his 55th birthday in April, Mr. Evans is embracing the challenge once again. “I’m not as young as I was seven years ago, but running the London Marathon at the end of April feels like the right challenge for me,” he said. This year, he has chosen to run for Halton Haven Hospice, a local charity that provides specialist palliative care to those with terminal conditions. Halton Haven Hospice holds a particularly special place in Mr. Evans' heart. His mother-in-law received compassionate care there in 2012, and last year, a close family friend, Ste Rizzotti, was supported by the hospice during his battle with cancer. The staff at Halton Haven provided not only exceptional medical care but also emotional support to Ste’s family in their most difficult moments. Mr. Evans is deeply moved by the incredible work they do, particularly in the most challenging of circumstances. The hospice’s dedication to ensuring patients live with dignity and comfort during the end of life is nothing short of extraordinary.

 

Halton Haven Hospice provides vital services to those in need, including its In-Patient Unit (IPU) for palliative and end-of-life care, and its Day Hospice Clinic, which delivers support, rehabilitation, and therapy for people living with life-limiting diagnoses. The hospice also offers a peaceful environment for patients and families, with a beautiful community cabin, woodland trails, and extensive gardens designed to provide comfort and a sense of peace during such a difficult time. The team at Halton Haven works tirelessly to make the worst of times more bearable for patients and their families, and this is something Mr. Evans is incredibly passionate about supporting.

 

When Mr. Evans first found out that he had secured a place in the London Marathon again, he admitted that his running routine had taken a backseat in recent times. However, with the race fast approaching on April 27th, he’s fully committed to ramping up his training. “I’ve always loved running long distances,” he shared. “I just needed to rediscover my running mojo – and now I’m all in.” Determined and focused, Mr. Evans is pushing himself to get back into peak condition for the big day.

 

Through his fundraising efforts, Mr. Evans hopes to make a real difference for those who benefit from the incredible care provided by Halton Haven Hospice. So many of us have been affected by cancer, and this is such an emotional and meaningful cause. The hospice’s work touches countless lives, offering comfort, compassion, and support during the most difficult times. Every penny raised will go towards helping them continue this vital service, and it would be truly appreciated by Mr. Evans and everyone whose lives have been touched by cancer.

 

You can show your support by donating to his JustGiving page and following his journey to the marathon finish line. His page can be found using this link:

 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/gary-evans-1722948691858?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

 

We wish Mr. Evans the best of luck in his training and look forward to cheering him on as he crosses the finish line this April!