Solihull man runs six half marathons in father's memory for Marie Curie - The Solihull Observer

Solihull man runs six half marathons in father's memory for Marie Curie

Solihull Editorial 7th May, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

A BOROUGH man is running six half marathons in memory of his beloved dad who lost his brave battle with liver cancer and to raise money for the Marie Curie hospice in Solihull which helped fulfil his final wish to die at home.

Jody Dawson has completed the Silverstone, Warwick and Stratford and Lichfield half marathons in honour of Ray Dawson who died in May last year after a brief fight against the disease.

His final two events will be the Tewkesbury half on May 15 and the Edinburgh half on May 29 – the anniversary of Ray’s passing.

Speaking to The Observer Jody said: “Last February my dad told us that he was recently diagnosed with Liver Cancer, he told us that it was terminal and that nothing could be done to help him.




“My Dad didn’t want to go through chemotherapy as he wanted to remain as physically and mentally alert as he could for the remainder of his life, he was also determined to stay in his own home.

“At this time Dad looked relatively well, he was a bit thinner than usual and his colour wasn’t great but his rapid decline from this point took us all by surprise.


“My wife Jennifer and I were due our first baby in June and we were planning plenty of visits to Nottingham over the summer so that my dad could spend as much time with his brand new granddaughter.

“Sadly he passed away on the May 29 just days before Imogen was born on the June 3.

Jody, and advocate for the Alzheimers Society, added that as a new dad he felt he couldn’t process his grief properly at the time – which is why, a year after losing his dad, he decided to take on the challenge to give him chance to reflect on everything that has happened and to raise money for Marie Curie in the process.

It was the home nurses from Marie Curie who enabled Ray to fulfil his final wish of living out his life in the comfort of his own home.

Jody’s challenge started on March 13 – almost a year since his dad was first diagnosed and will end on May 29 – the anniversary of his passing.

My challenge started on the 13th March which was close to the date last year when my Dad told us his news and will end on the 29th May which is the anniversary of Dad’s passing.

Jody added: “During Lichfield there were a few moments where I wanted to stop but I thought back to what my Dad was going through this time last year and how strong and brave he was, so I used this to get me to the end.

“I am now on the home straight with ‘just’ 2 more Half Marathons to go and I am up to £945 in fundraising for Marie Curie which is just amazing.”

To sponsor Jody and find out more about his challenge visit: www.half-for-dad.tumblr.com.

Or you can text JODY75 to 70070 to donate a £5

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