A lawyer will be pounding the streets of London in the spring to raise money for a special garden which brings comfort to patients at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hospital in Oswestry.
Dawn Humphries, head of the personal injury team at Lanyon Bowdler, helps clients rebuild their life following a serious injury and has worked closely with the hospital’s spinal injuries unit for many years.
She is running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April to raise money for Horatio’s Garden, which Lanyon Bowdler has supported ever since its inception in 2018 – when Dawn ran the half marathon for the first time.
Dawn says: “I was really fortunate to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2018 to help with fundraising for the garden, which is based on a design by Bunny Guinness from Gardeners’ World, so I was able to see it being created from scratch.
“Over the years, I have visited clients at the hospital, and have watched the garden develop and become a thing of beauty. It also has a very functional and practical role in supporting the patients, giving them a wonderful outdoor sanctuary, assisting in their rehabilitation and nurturing their wellbeing after spinal injury.
“The garden is named after Horatio Chapple, a schoolboy who wanted to be a doctor and noticed the lack of outdoor spaces for patients whilst volunteering at the Salisbury Spinal Unit. Tragically his life was cut short in 2011 at just 17, when his camp was attacked by a bear during a school expedition to Svalbard in the Arctic.
“I was so proud to be a little part in supporting the development of Horatio’s Garden and am thrilled to continue raising further monies for its continuing good work by running the London Landmarks Half Marathon once again.”
The half marathon takes place on April 6 and starts on The Mall, taking in iconic London sights such as Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and St Paul’s, crossing Westminster Bridge before finishing at Downing Street.
Dawn says she is excited about taking on the route again – although she is less keen on the winter training!
“It’s a wonderful event, with incredible support along the whole route, including West End musical casts out singing, as well as bands, choirs and of course the amazing crowds which just keep you going,” she says.
“It’s my favourite race – and has the added bonus of being half the distance of the full marathon.
“I am most looking forward to the atmosphere at the finish, with the incredible Chelsea Pensioners presenting the medals, and of course my husband with chocolate. My most dreaded bit? Early morning runs in the cold dark days of winter!
“Although I have done this race before, it will still involve a lot of dedication and training, but I’m very determined to achieve this goal. It will be an honour and privilege to be part of the team raising money for such an important facility here in Shropshire.”
To donate, visit Dawn’s Just Giving page.
Shropshire Live is regulated by 