The Great South Run

Bee Flavell

A FOUNDING member of children’s research charity, Leukaemia Busters, is marking its 25th anniversary by tackling the Bupa Great South Run for the first time.

Dr Bee Flavell, 62, and her husband, Dr David Flavell, lost their ten-year-old son, Simon, to Leukaemia in 1990.

Before his death, the couple – who worked at Southampton General Hospital as research scientists developing a treatment for Leukaemia – set up the Southampton-based research charity, Leukaemia Busters, with two other sets of parents whose children were also undergoing treatment for cancer of the bone marrow or blood.

Now, the couple dedicate their time to supporting national clinical trials for the treatment of children with incurable forms of leukaemia.

Dr Flavell is being joined by her daughter, Serena, 23.

She says: “Serena never met Simon because he was our only child at the time, but she’s heard so much about him growing up that she feels a really strong connection to him.

“I’m looking forward to this run for two special reasons, firstly because it’s in memory of my late beloved son and secondly, I am also running for the 25th Anniversary of Leukaemia Busters – whose name and logo were devised by Simon.

“All the training I’ve been doing has helped me appreciate the effort people have put in in the past to raise money for our charity because it takes a lot of commitment.

“At my age, and as it’s my first time, I’m not quite sure I’ll be able to do it, but I don’t think Serena’s had much trouble because she tells me ‘it’s easy mum you can do it!’’”

To donate to Leukaemia Busters, go to justgiving.com/beeflavell.

Nick Clarke

A TEACHER who was once wheelchair-bound and unable to raise his arms because of a muscle wasting disease is ready to make up for lost time in this year’s Bupa Great South Run.

Nick Clarke, from Locks Heath, was diagnosed with polymyositis at the age of 11.

The inflammation of his muscles forced a sports-loving child who represented Hampshire at football into a wheelchair and left him in severe pain.

Although back on his feet the following year, the condition continued to take its toll – until the maths teacher took up running after learning his father-in-law had started.

And now, after a year of dedicated training, the 41-year-old is looking forward to taking part in the ten-mile-run, which he sees as a personal achievement to how far he has come.

“This is my first Great South Run,” he says. “I’m not sure how I’ll cope but I know I’ll get round.

“To be honest, when I was stuck in a wheelchair as a kid, I never would have thought this was possible, but when my father-in-law started jogging, I thought ‘hold on, I can do that’.

"So I did and I’ve not looked back.

“I’m a bit creakier than I should be and wish I took it up in my 30s, but better late than never.

“I don’t think the elite athletes have to worry on the day – if I get around in two hours I’ll be happy.

“But from where I once was, I’ll definitely take that.”

Alex Rowsell

HE survived a stroke aged just 19, but it’s the thousands of other stroke victims in the UK who are not so lucky that will provide the motivation for Alex Rowsell to reward the Stroke Association when he laces up his trainers on Sunday.

“I was very fortunate to come through what was a difficult time for me at such a young age,” says the 34-year-old from Totton.

“I was driving into Southampton one day and started to get a headache. I thought nothing of it, but ended up collapsing and was soon told it was caused by a blood clot on the back of my brain.

“I saw a lot of other people who had strokes who were far worse than me and friends and families suffer too.

That’s why I will be fundraising for the Stroke Association.”

This will be Alex’s second Bupa Great South Run and for a keen sportsman who combines running with playing football three times a week, fitness won't be a problem, even if the emotion of the day might be.

“I had tears in my eyes at the start last year. I was emotional because of where I had been and also knowing what others go through. I feel privileged to take part again this time around.”

To donate to The Stroke Association, go to justgiving.com/Alex-Rowsell2.

Kirsty Turner and Maddison

KIRSTY Turner and four friends are getting ready to race in aid of Swan UK, a charity which supports families and sufferers of ‘syndromes without a name’.

Most people suffering from serious conditions know the disease they are fighting, but Kirsty’s goddaughter, Maddison Co, remains undiagnosed.

The five-year-old, who goes to St Francis Special School in Fareham, suffers from a number of problems which are not able to be diagnosed – she cannot walk or eat properly and has problems with her physical development.

“Maddison goes through so much, but she’s an amazing little girl,” says 31-year-old Kirsty. “She’s just a smiling little girl that never complains and just wants to be like everyone else.

“She’s in and out of hospital quite often. She’s had heart surgery when she was less than a year old. And she recently had an operation on the knees because she cannot walk.

“She is the happiest and the bravest little girl that I know.”

Kirsty says she, and the other friends of Maddison’s family who are taking on the Bupa Great South Run, are making up for a lack of running experience with their enthusiasm.

“None of us are runners but we’ve been training where we can. We all thought we wanted to do something to show our support.”

Mark Banyard and Cora

HIS little girl, Cora, was born with half a heart and has since undergone three open heart operations. The condition limits the eight-year-old’s exercise and means she is often left tired and prone to infections.

Now Mark Banyard, from Locks Heath, will be running in aid of Little Hearts Matter to repay the charity which he says has been crucial in getting his family through difficult times.

“It was very tough for us early on,” he says.

“When you’re first told about the condition it is difficult enough and then you have to deal with all sorts of information that you've never heard before.

“Little Hearts Matter were so helpful in providing us with support and advice, and that’s why I want to give something back to them.

“I know the important role they play and I want to do all I can to help them support other families going through the same thing as we’ve done.

"Cora is doing as well as she can now. There are days when she needs to be in her wheelchair but she’s a happy girl and we’re all very proud of her.”

Mark has already surpassed his fundraising target of £250 and is now aiming to double that.

To sponsor Mark go to justgiving.com/teambanyardjones

Bill Fisher and daughter, Lizzie

HE will remember his daughter’s infectious smile with each step he runs.

Last year Bill Fisher ran the Bupa Great South Run with his daughter Lizzie, a hobby they took up to help her deal with her clinical depression which she suffered for more than two decades.

But tragedy struck this June when Lizzie took her own life aged 33. Now Bill is entering this year’s race to remember his daughter and raise money for mental health charity Mind.

“It will be very emotional, says Bill, from Waltham Chase. “We have lovely photos of Lizzie doing the Great South Run last year and she was on quite a high about doing it and really keen to help Mind. What happened goes to show how complex mental health is.”

Dealing with Lizzie’s death has been heartbreaking for Bill and his wife Trisha, but they have many happy memories of their ‘intelligent and friendly’ daughter.

“It’s very difficult. We thought we got through the worst of it and that we were making progress.

“We are now trying to raise as much as we can for Mind, because mental health can be tough for many people – we’ve probably all fallen under the trap of saying ‘pull yourself together’, but the general public don’t understand.

“It’s why I’ll be part of Team Lizzie, along with 16 others, to do what Lizzie did last year and complete the Great South Run."

Donate to Team Lizzie by logging on to justgiving.com/teams/teamlizzie.