Royal Parks Half
Sunday 13th October 2024
UK
Jack Sidders
4192
The Bob Willis Fund
Raising money for better prostate cancer screening. The Bob Willis Fund has been set up to raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness.
Royal Parks Half
My dad, Andrew Sidders, was a keen runner. He started running in the 1970s long before it became a right of passage for a certain kind of middle-aged man going through a mid-life crisis.
I am very much not a runner and for the entirety of our lives' overlap, the source of the motivation that made him lace up his shoes and go running off into the hills was a total mystery to me.
Prostate cancer finally robbed dad of his favorite outlet, but only after he had already been through radiotherapy, chemo and various trials, out-running his terminal diagnosis for several implausible years. Towards the end of his life, when running was no longer an option, we spent a lot of time watching cricket together and it is time I still cherish.
It is four-years since he died and in that time I have lost 10-stone and to my shock more than anyone else's, I have finally taken up running. The knowledge that I will never get to run with dad, to share his favorite activity with him, is a huge source of regret. But I like to think he would have approved of my belated conversion.
And that's why I decided to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon, a sentence that a couple of years ago would have been unimaginable for me. And in particular to use it as a chance to raise money to fight prostate cancer for the Bob Willis fund. For me it is an opportunity to take that regret at never having run with dad and channel it into something positive, to raise money for an organization that represents a shared passion, named for one of English cricket's greats, and to fight a disease that claimed my dad, my grandad, Bob Willis and countless other men. I think about them every time I run and it is the thought of them that has got me this far. Your support in getting me to to the finish line is hugely appreciated.
£3,121.00
+£595.25 Gift Aid
raised of £1,000 target
by 71 supporters
Supporters 71
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S1 day, 5 hours
Simone Pozzato
Well done Jack - especially after Expo! I know the feeling :-)
£ 20.00
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M3 weeks, 6 days
Matthew Norris
Well done on raising so much money for such a worthy cause. Train hard, race easy. Best of luck, Matt
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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1 monthAnonymous
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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1 month, 1 week
Anonymous
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P1 month, 1 week
Paddy and Jennie
Well done Jack - this is really great. Best of luck. xx
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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A2 months, 1 week
Alex Simmons
Thank you for sharing your story, Jack. I'm sorry to hear you didn't manage to run with your Dad, but glad you have wonderful memories. Great cause, bon chance
£ 25.00 (+£6.25)
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L2 months, 1 week
Lauren Joselyn
Good for you Jack! A great run for a great cause. Good luck and enjoy the run! 🏃🏼
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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D2 months, 2 weeks
Debbie Skinner
I loved reading your running story Jack - what an achievement. Good luck with the Royal Parks Half - Andrew would be very proud indeed - sending lots of love xxx
£ 25.00 (+£6.25)
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S2 months, 2 weeks
Sam Turner
Best of luck, great cause and well done on your 1st 1/2 marathon. I was lucky enough to go running with your Dad around the farm where Mum and he lived for all that time. I was probably 20 years old and he still left me behind. I am without doubt that he would be very approving and very proud.
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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2 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
All the very best, Jack!
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H2 months, 2 weeks
Henry Columbine
A touching story and a great cause - good luck Jack.
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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2 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
Incredible stuff, Jack
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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F2 months, 2 weeks
Fraser Greenshields
well done jack and best wishes for the run itself.
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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2 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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2 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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K2 months, 2 weeks
Kenneth Hatton
Good man, Jack. Great cause. Don’t forget to ENJOY the run!
£ 200.00 (+£50.00)
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2 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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3 months
Anonymous
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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3 months, 1 week
Anonymous
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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