300km in 30 days raises nearly £2k for Macmillan

Chichester runner Jared Lloyd clocked up 300km during a March running challenge which has raised nearly £2,000 for charity.
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Jared decided to take on the challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support after seeing the support its nurses have offered his mum during treatment for breast cancer.

Julie Lloyd was diagnosed in November 2020 and has gone through two major surgeries, as well as having radiotherapy treatment.

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The 25-year-old, a store manager at Three mobile, completed his challenge over 19 runs, finishing with a marathon on March 30.

Jared and Julie LloydJared and Julie Lloyd
Jared and Julie Lloyd

Jared said: “Nothing I do will come close to what my mum has been through. But when I asked her which charity I should raise money for, she reminded me how the Macmillan nurses at Worthing and St Richard’s hospitals had been there for her – they are always on hand to answer any questions and put her mind at ease about the worrying things she was going through.

“She said that she wanted it done for them so they can continue to give other people the same wonderful support and advice that they gave her.

“After one of her appointments at Worthing Hospital, I saw one of the most amazing things, as a Macmillan nurse asked her whether she wanted to go to a private room and have a chat.

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“My mum is a very strong woman, but I knew how much this meant to her – to be able to go somewhere quiet to talk about her worries and ask questions about the surgery and possible chemo/radiotherapy.

Jared Lloyd ran 300km during March to raise money for Macmillan Cancer SupportJared Lloyd ran 300km during March to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support
Jared Lloyd ran 300km during March to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support

“That same Macmillan nurse was there for her when she finished her surgical treatment at St Richard’s Hospital, and I’m just so grateful for their support as since her diagnosis it’s been very hard emotionally.”

Julie, 62, said: “I have always been so proud of my son and am in complete awe of what he has achieved in aid of Macmillan.

“He was out there pounding the pavements around Chichester in typical spring weather – heatwaves and rainstorms included.

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“His sheer determination to not give up despite those blisters (oh and they were bad) as well as the aching muscles and painful knees, was an inspiration to me during those times when I was maybe tempted to feel a little sorry for myself.

“Both Jared and I feel really fortunate to have a wonderful community of family and friends who reached out to us offering emotional and practical support.

“They also reached into their pockets and wallets to donate for Macmillan.

“The Macmillan breast cancer nurses at St Richard’s and Worthing hospitals, as well as my Macmillan support worker, have been shoulder to shoulder with me since the first moments of diagnosis.

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“It’s thanks to everyone who’s donated that Macmillan can carry on offering the care and compassion so vital to families like us facing cancer.”

Macmillan fundraising manager Josh Munns said: “Macmillan Cancer Support, like so many charities across the UK, has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events due to Covid-19.

“With the charity expecting to lose millions of pounds as a result of the virus, Macmillan has never needed the public’s help more.

“The £1,885 that Jared has raised could help fund a Macmillan nurse for just over a week, helping people living with cancer, like Julie, and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.”

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