A BASINGSTOKE woman is running the London Marathon in honour of her cousin, who sadly died from blood cancer.
Georgina Williams will run the 26.2-mile course in April to raise money for Blood Cancer UK.
The marathon follows the death of Georgina’s cousin, Tom Moore, after he developed leukaemia, a type of blood cancer that affects blood cells in bone marrow.
Tom was first diagnosed in November 2013 and died two months later in January 2014 at the age of 35.
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Georgina said: “He was an amazing, warm, kind, loving son, husband, father, cousin and friend to all he met.”
Georgina says Tom was ‘incredibly passionate about sports’ with a particular interest in football, working for the Premier League, and had also aspired to run the London Marathon.
“He had applied many times for the London Marathon but never got the chance to run it,” she continued.
The 49-year-old says she was inspired to run the marathon by Tom’s mum, and Georgina’s aunt, Anne, who has ‘made it her mission' to raise funds for the charity, running the London Marathon at the age of 63.
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Georgina continued: “I can honestly say it has never been a lifelong ambition of mine to run the London Marathon, however, I’ve been completely inspired, firstly by my auntie Anne for all her resilience, strength, and dedication to this charity.
“Secondly, I spent many hours training with some awesome friends at Hatch Warren Running Clubwho took on this challenge in 2023. I witnessed such courage and support; it gave me the belief that maybe I could actually do it too.”
The London Marathon, which was started in 1981, will take place on Sunday, April 21, taking participants on a route passing landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge.
Georgina says that although she has ‘no doubt’ that the course will be physically and mentally demanding, but it ‘feels like a fitting tribute’ to take on the marathon in 2024, as she turns 50-years-old this year.
She added: “I couldn’t be more excited and determined to complete this challenge and I will have Tom in my heart every step of the way along with the support of my amazing family and friends.
"For my beautiful Tom, always in our hearts."
To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/georgina-williams29
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