On October 7th 2024 our 36 year old daughter Stephanie died, the end of 2024 passed in a blur. We went through most of 2025 in shock, in a daze, grieving, going through all the firsts, nothing getting easier, just a little more prepared to handle the bumps in the road, with a network of friends helping us navigate our way.
Marking the first anniversary of Stephanie's death was a turning point. I wanted to do something in Stephanie's memory and the one thing Stephanie could do for herself with total independence was to walk. So I signed up for an Ultra Challenge as close to the anniversary as I could and walked 15 miles across the Chilterns.
I trained whilst we were out in Australia visiting one of Stephanie's brothers who had flew home briefly for her funeral and we'd not seen for almost a year, I delayed starting my new job by 2 months.
Whilst in Australia we visited the MONA Museum in Tasmania to see the Poo Machine and I've used every opportunity I've had to promote Bowel Research UK who I'm raising awareness and fundraising for as Stephanie died from Bowel Ischaemia. It causes around 3000 deaths a year in the UK and is almost impossible to diagnose.
On World Mental Health Day October 10th 2025, I signed up to the Brighton Marathon and started the Couch to 5k. 4 weeks later on November 8th 2025 I took part in my first parkrun at Chippenham Playing Fields in Monmouth. The following week the town was devastated by flooding but I was back at the parkrun on December 20th and on New Years Day I took part in one at Southsea.
I'm taking part in another Ultra Challenge in London walking a marathon on January 24th. My aim is to complete the route in under 8 hours, as the Brighton Marathon has a cut off of 8 hours to get a medal and along with raising funds and awareness that is my goal.
Please share my fundraising page
Please share this post
Please share our story to help raise awareness of Bowel Research UK
I'd love it if you'd come running with me, if you have any training tips to share.
If you have any ideas to help me raise funds please let me know.
All help and support is welcome. I'm going to need it.
You are honouring Stephanie's memory in such a great way, by raising money for others. Good luck with the walking marathon! I will donate later in the month. xxx
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DeleteThese are all amazing ways to honour your daughter, and I know you'll smash each and every one of them X #PoCoLo
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DeleteCongratulations on your achievement#pocolo
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your daughter. I myself have a few bowel issues and need to be checked for cancer. My grandma also died from bowel cancer. So this is a cause close to my heart xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope all is well with you
DeleteYour running is an amazing achievement. Congrats! Also the energy you are putting in to raising awareness and funds is wonderful. Good luck with all your goals this year. #wotw
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DeleteThe Ultra Challenge was a lovely and perfect way to honour Stephanie's memory. You have done brilliantly with all your challenges, and it's nice to see you carrying on with them this year. Good luck with the Ultra Challenge in London.
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DeleteWhat a wonderful way to honour your daughter's memory and channel your grief into something positive and rewarding.
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DeleteKeep going Suzanne you are doing an amazing job. Bowel research needs so much more, my daughter is in hospital tomorrow for treatment for her bowels.
DeleteThank you. Good luck with your daughters appointment
DeleteI love this!! Well done - something positive out of something so devastating!! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura
DeleteWell done to you on challenging yourself with the walking and running and helping to fundraise for bowel research and raise awareness of bowel ischaemia in memory of Stephanie. Wishing you all the best of luck for your marathon on 24th January and hope you manage to complete it in less than 8 hours.
ReplyDeletethank you Louise
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