Taking on a London Marathon mission for Cornwall Hospice Care

A novice long distance runner and a cyclist take on a London Marathon mission for Cornwall Hospice Care.

Steph and Gareth Netherton are on a mission. They’re in the final stages of preparations for the iconic London Marathon (Sunday 27th April) that will see them cover the 26.2 miles despite neither being regular runners. Both are raising money for Cornwall Hospice Care after their close friend spent his final days at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell.

Why take on a marathon mission?

“I’ve been kind of dragged in to the marathon,” says Gareth. “I entered the public ballot expecting to be rejected and got in on my first attempt!  Then Steph entered for Cornwall Hospice Care and I joined her. My good friend Roger Ryman, former Head Brewer at St Austell Brewery, died at Mount Edgcumbe. It still feels raw that he isn’t here. He was a strong guy, really well known and really well loved. This challenge has given me my chance to give something back for the care he received at the end of his life and that makes me feel good.”

A gig rower on a marathon mission

“Gig rowing is where me and Roger met,” explains Gareth. “Then Covid came along and stopped me rowing and that’s when cycling became my passion. I’m not a runner but I have to be one now as I’ve got 26.2 miles to do!  The mid-week short runs aren’t too bad, they’re over in 30 minutes, but it’s the long runs of 15 and 16 miles that give you time to start thinking and that’s when I think of Roger and the hospice and I realise running is the easy bit.”

Facing a marathon mission while I can

For Gareth’s wife Steph it’s about taking on a challenge while she can; “Gig rowing was always my sport until the Covid lockdown and then like so many others, I turned to running. However, this is my first long distance event. It’s about pushing my body. When I’m on my training runs I think that at least I get to run, many others don’t get that chance. I also appreciate that getting older is a privilege so I just want to push my body while I can.

From a marathon mission to other projects

Because we exercise regularly, some people think it’s easy for us but it’s hard and you have to rely on thoughts about why you’re doing it to keep you going, to put one foot in front of the other. I want to do more too, the charity needs people to fundraise so much and I feel I want to help. I know it’s a cliché to say every penny helps, but it really does for Cornwall Hospice Care. I’m not asking people to donate huge amounts of money, maybe just the price of a cup of coffee or a pint.”

It’s a marathon ‘win-win’ mission

Steph and Gareth say they’re now getting excited; “We’re really looking forward to the atmosphere in London. We keep being told about it, and we’re particularly excited about reaching the finish line of course. We want to enjoy the moment and appreciate why we’re doing it. It’s probably going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being able to help a charity like this, and run together, it’s a win-win situation. The main goal is to run it and enjoy it.”

Thanks for putting so much in to the London Marathon mission

Cornwall Hospice Care’s Jane Appleton looks after the charity’s marathon runners; “It’s such a privilege to support people like Steph and Gareth who’re putting so much into their London Marathon experience.  This event, though iconic, is also tough and there’s a lot of training to fit in alongside the fundraising. But they, like all the other runners we have taking part, give it everything because they know how much it means to fund the 24/7 hospice care we provide to the community of Cornwall. I can’t them enough and look forward to cheering them on in the city!”

Help make that marathon mission worthwhile

You can support Steph and Gareth HERE.

You can watch a short video with Steph and Gareth HERE.

The picture below is of Steph and Gareth with Senior Nurse Naomi Pascoe at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice.