A Carlisle man will be racing around the streets of London on Sunday 3 October to help the care, support and activities at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

This year’s Virgin Money London Marathon will be special for Nathan Weaver as he supports the local charity during their 30th Anniversary celebrations.

Nathan, 27 from Carlisle, explained, “Eden Valley Hospice is my local charity and I have seen first-hand the positive and life changing impact it has on some of my friend’s family and the experience they had. Their mission statement is to provide palliative care for people with incurable or life limiting illnesses, enabling them and their carers to live life as fully and as independently as possible and this is what captured my attention and is why I’m thrilled to be running the London Marathon and representing the charity.”

“The London Marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious events and one I’ve personally tried to secure a place in for the past eight years, so when I heard about Eden Valley Hospice securing a charity place I jumped at the chance to do it."

Every runner taking part in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon will have their own memory, reasons and purpose for completing the 26.2 mile course. Whether it is to set a personal best time or to raise money in aid of charity they will all create memories which will last a lifetime.

On the day, Nathan will join 50,000 participants taking on the traditional course from London’s Blackheath to The Mall – an increase of more than 7,000 on the previous finisher record – while another 50,000 people around the globe will run the 26.2 miles on a course of their choice during the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon.

Nathan continued, “The London Marathon is set to be the biggest marathon every staged in the world with over 100,000 people taking part, so with that comes an enormous atmosphere both for the participants but also the crowd lining the streets of the 26.2 mile route. I can’t wait to be in London in October on the start line.”

“Like anything planned this year there is always the doubt that the Covid pandemic could affect or even still cancel the event, but I’m not letting this detract from my marathon training which I started back in March this year.”

The money raised by Nathan as he completes the Virgin Money London Marathon will help Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to provide the highest standards of specialist care and compassion to people with life limiting illnesses. This care, compassion and comforting hand to hold is extended to all the patients’ families, friends and carers. If you would like to sponsor Nathan and support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nathan-Weaver.

Nathan concluded, “Thank you to everyone so far who has donated to my JustGiving page for which the amount raised is now over £1,600. I’m looking to smash my personal fundraising target of £2,000 and give this charity the crucial funds it needs to continue caring and providing for people in need.”

2021 is a special and significant year for Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw as it marks three decades of caring for local people with life limiting illnesses. For over 30 years the support of the local community has helped to build the hospice, purchase specialist equipment and provide vital care to local people with life limiting illnesses. Every donation helps the local community.

If you would like to support Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw by taking part in your own marathon challenge the charity have limited places available for the Virtual Virgin Monday London Marathon on Sunday 3 October. It really is your marathon your way, whether you walk or run your chosen 26.2 mile route you can support local people with life limiting illnesses.

To find out more about the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon please visit www.edenvalleyhospcie.org, www.jigsawhospice.org or contact the Fundraising Team on 01228 810801