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After weeks and months of training Nicola Hague from Plymouth was one of thousands of runners devastated at the news that this year’s 40th Virgin London Marathon will not be going ahead in its usual way. But for Nicola the London Marathon meant much more than just completing 26 miles,  she was going to be running in memory of her son Ethan and to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) which is why she will be running the virtual London marathon on 4th October.  

With over £3000 in sponsorship collected already for CHSW Nicola has joined up with four other ladies from Plymouth, also planning on running marathons this year, and together they will be completing the virtual London Marathon. They have a 26 mile route planned to run on 4th October from Princetown to Plymouth Hoe and Nicola will still get her chance to run the London Marathon albeit in 2022. 

Nicola said “My son didn't get to experience much in life and I always promised him I would make every moment count and experience as much as I can. I have always wanted to run the London Marathon and to take part in the 40th London Marathon the year I turned 40 would have been absolutely amazing but it will be an absolute privilege to do the miles this year and to look forward to London in 2022, not just for myself but for Ethan and all the other families who go through this awful experience.”

Nicola’s son Ethan was born with a disease called Tay-Sachs which there is no cure or treatment for and sadly died one month before his third birthday. During Ethan’s battle with the disease Nicola, along with Ethan’s Dad Simon and older brother Callum, received support from CHSW and its Little Bridge House children’s hospice in Barnstaple where they used to visit for respite stays. 

Reflecting on Ethan’s death Nicola said “Even though you anticipate,

You can never be prepared for the death of your child and a whole whirlwind of emotions take over.

Being at Little Bridge House during this time enabled us to really focus on each other, on Callum and to prepare for our life without Ethan. We will be forever grateful for the short time we had with Ethan and for the love and support Little Bridge House offered us.”

Since Ethan’s death his family have been keen fundraisers for CHSW, supporting the charity in raising vital funds to keep providing support to families like theirs at Little Bridge House in Barnstaple, Charlton Farm near Bristol and Little Harbour in St Austell which opened a month after Ethan’s death. 

If you would like to support Nicola with her fundraising please visit her online fundraising page here or join her Facebook group “Nicola’s isolation extra long journey to London Marathon 2020”.