Kieran and Lilly, from Bridgewater, will run the London marathon for Meningitis Now to honour their friend Josh Vickery, who died of meningitis at just 40
Despite the challenges running the marathon entails, Kieran and Lilly are inspired to raise money for Meningitis Now to uphold Josh’s giving ethos.
Kieran says, “In 2021 we lost our great friend Josh Vickery after a short battle with meningitis. Josh was a huge role model to me growing up - someone I admired and still do to this day.”
Incredible person
Kieran adds, “We both have the motivation to run the London marathon because Josh was the kind of man who would do anything for anyone, and we want to emulate and uphold the values that made him such an incredible person.”
Kieran reflects on the impact the charity has, “The work Meningitis Now are doing to help rebuild the lives of those affected most by meningitis is what inspires us. We see the work that the charity does to support those impacted and the benefits Meningitis Now are providing - it is incredible!”
Inspired
When training gets hard, weekend lie-ins are sacrificed and the country lanes where Kieran and Lilly train seem to go on forever, they are inspired by the difference their fundraising will make to families like Josh’s.
As well as seeking sponsorship for their run, the motivated couple have also held a fundraising event at the local cricket club where Josh was a member and Kieran still plays where they raised over £3,000.
Great feeling
Kieran and Lilly don’t profess to being natural runners but they say, “Training for the marathon has been a really great thing for us to do as a couple, and the motivation we get to keep pushing ourselves is a great feeling.
“It also isn't about how fast or slow you run, it's the reason why you are doing it that is important, and that keeps us going.
You can support Kieran and Lilly via their JustGiving page.
