Patient Profile: Awesome Adam Raises More Than £1,000 For St Luke's Hospice By Running His First Half Marathon In Memory Of His Dad Mark
Adam Barratt ran the Sheffield Half-Marathon in support of St Luke’s Hospice, where his dad Mark was looked after last year before he passed away from Pancreatic Cancer.
Adam, 25, of Dore, said: 'My dad was my best friend and someone I could turn to whenever I had an issue. Dad made the most out of life, and we would often go to concerts together or just enjoy a quiet pint in the pub. He was very active and enjoyed going for long walks in the Peak District with Bruce, our dog. He also did an incredible amount of good for the wider community, both professionally and outside of work.'
Mark's family were all shocked to learn of his diagnosis because he was always known for being so fit and healthy.
'Within two weeks of his first symptoms, dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. This was the first I'd heard of this specific cancer and unfortunately, as we discovered, it is one of the worst cancers in terms of survival rates (which have been largely unchanged since 1980). Around 50% of of those diagnosed will unfortunately die within three months. Thankfully, due to the dedication of staff at Weston Park, we were allowed to have a further 11 months with dad before he passed away at St Luke's – time that I will forever be grateful for.'
Adam wanted to turn his dad's death 'into something positive' by running his first half marathon in his honour.
'it is exactly what he would have wanted me to do in the situation, especially since running wasn’t exactly something I have been very good at. (See my Case Study, which follows, for proof!) So, I decided to run the Sheffield Half Marathon in memory of my dad and to raise some much-needed funds for St Luke’s.'
The run itself was very gusty, says Adam, 'with Storm Kathleen trying its best to put a dampener on runners' spirits, but it didn’t succeed! '
Adam was thrilled to see the race, South Yorkshire's biggest event of its kind, attract a huge crowd of enthusiastic supporters who lined the streets to cheer on the runners and boost their morale.
'There were some lovely routes, particularly up Ringinglow Road, although I was too out of breath to take in the scenery, I am sure Sheffield looked as glorious as ever!'
From Ringinglow, runners turned onto Sheephill Road and Hathersage Road where Adam was soon on home turf in Dore as he ran down Brickhouse Lane into Causeway Head Road, looping back onto Rushley Road, Limb Lane, and Hathersage Road again before joining Ecclesall Road South en route to the city centre finish line.
Adam Barratt taking part in the Sheffield Half-Marathon to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice
'I give thanks to the Activ Team who ensured I was race-ready and could do my dad proud, as well as raise some money for our local charity which I am very proud to support!'
Adam explains that only a third of funding for St Luke's comes from the government, despite the hospice helping to reduce pressure on vital local NHS services.
'They need to fundraise £9 million this year, working out at around around £25,000 per day, in addition to Government funding, just to continue providing their service in its current form.'
Adam is aware that people are aware of the 'enormous amount of good St Luke’s does in our community' and adds that he, his mum Sharon and sister Faye have seen it first hand.
'It is a calm, comforting and caring place when you need it. A place that does an enormous amount of good for those suffering from terminal illness, and for their families by supporting them during and after their loved one's illness.'
Adam raised £1285 for St Luke’s Hospice
All of us here at Activ remember Mark with great fondness and we are certain he would be extremely proud of Adam's fundraising efforts for St Luke's which currently stands at £I,285. If you would like to donate, here is the link below:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/adam-barratt?utm_medium=fund...
