A SOUTHSIDE woman is on a mission to raise over £2,000 for a national blood cancer charity by taking part in the London Marathon.
Laura Mullins, who lives in the US, will be taking on the famous 26.2-mile course in aid of Leukaemia CARE, a charity that offers support to patients, carers and health care professionals.
The 40-year-old ex-primary school teacher, who is originally from Shankill, is now studying to become a fitness instructor and personal trainer. She has a personal connection to the charity as her friend’s husband sadly passed away in August 2016 after battling leukaemia for a second time.
“In 2014, I was fortunate to win a ballot entry in the New York City Marathon, where I met another woman from my town,” she recalled. “We became instant friends and shared many miles together. I soon learnt that her husband had battled leukaemia the previous year and was currently in remission.
“Soon thereafter, we began training for the 2015 Chicago Marathon when, a few short weeks before race day, a simple check-up scan showed that her husband’s leukaemia had returned. My friend immediately deferred her entry to be by his side. But sadly, he was not able to conquer this ugly disease a second time.”
This will be Laura’s 17th marathon, but her first one running for a charity. Although she’s had a slight setback in her training due to a knee injury, she’s determined to make it to the start line in April.
“I watched my friend do her best to navigate the difficult journey of treatment, and all the while working full time and caring not only for her husband, but for her three small children too.
“She did not have the benefit of an organisation like Leukaemia CARE, which offers incredible support to anyone affected by blood cancer.
“I am running the London Marathon in honour of my friend, Jason Giles, who valiantly fought with everything he had.
“And I am running to support Leukaemia CARE in the hopes that other mothers, wives, children, parents and siblings of patients can receive the help they need at their most vulnerable time. Nobody should ever feel alone in their battle.”
Clare Brooks, who works with the marathon runners at Leukaemia CARE, added: “Our runners make all the difference to people who need that bit extra support. I’ve followed all our runners, including Laura, from the point of sign up and I can’t wait for Laura to cross that finishing line.”
To help go to Laura’s website: www.presentlyrunning.com
