Family's £10,000 London Marathon fundraiser to say thank you to St Catherine's Hospice in Crawley

It will be the first time Gemma Francis and her brother-in-law Dean Carden have run in the event, and have been inspired by their own very personal experiences to give something back to the hospice.

St Catherine's provides end of life care and support for terminally ill people and their families across Crawley, Horsham, East Surrey and Mid Sussex.

Gemma explained why they are taking on the marathon challenge. “My Mam Marilyn was amazing," she said. "I know everyone thinks their Mam is, but she really was. Mam met Richard at her church, and they fell madly in love. We always used to take the mickey out of them as they were like teenagers, always holding hands on the sofa, but Richard showed Mam what true love was.

"It was Richard who was cared for by St Catherine’s first. When he was diagnosed with cancer of the gullet Mam put her life on hold to care for him. Unfortunately, his cancer spread and in March 2019 he was taken to the hospice.

"At the same time Mam suddenly got very unwell and was taken to East Surrey Hospital. There doctors found a tumour and told me and my sister that there was nothing they could do. We were told Richard had a couple of days left to live that same day.

"My sister and I flitted between St Catherine’s visiting Richard and the hospital visiting Mam