Lucy goes extra mile for marathon fundraiser in memory of her dad

Lucy Randell only needs a further £235 to hit her £2,000 charity pledge and secure her place in the race
By Carly Roberts
Published 5th Mar 2020, 12:07 BST
Updated 5th Mar 2020, 12:30 BST
Lucy pictured at Bread & Pullet on Wednesday night as she gears up to help the British Heart Foundation with their fundraising efforts. Pictures by Leila Coker.Lucy pictured at Bread & Pullet on Wednesday night as she gears up to help the British Heart Foundation with their fundraising efforts. Pictures by Leila Coker.
Lucy pictured at Bread & Pullet on Wednesday night as she gears up to help the British Heart Foundation with their fundraising efforts. Pictures by Leila Coker.

A Northampton runner has so far raised an amazing £1,765 overall for the British Heart Foundation ahead of her first London Marathon this April.

The 24-year-old played host to a charity fundraiser on Wednesday night (March 4) at Bread & Pullet on Wellingborough Road, where 40 diners helped to raised £733 through a raffle and £8 for every meal sold was donated straight to British Heart Foundation.

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The cause Lucy is running for holds a special place in her heart after she lost her dad, Tony, to heart failure six years ago.

Lucy pictured with Bread & Pullet staff who put on a Carribean-inspired night with tapas and cocktails. Pictures by Leila Coker.Lucy pictured with Bread & Pullet staff who put on a Carribean-inspired night with tapas and cocktails. Pictures by Leila Coker.
Lucy pictured with Bread & Pullet staff who put on a Carribean-inspired night with tapas and cocktails. Pictures by Leila Coker.

She said: "I’m not a runner, I never have been but I am supporter of healthy hearts. In 2014, I suddenly lost my dad. He, unfortunately, suffered from heart failure.

"By running the London 2020 Marathon, I want to help spread awareness about the importance of keeping your heart healthy and raise money for the British Heart Foundation

"If me taking on this absurdly silly challenge can help just one family never experience what my dad and my family experienced, then the gruelling 26.2 miles will be completely worth it."

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Lucy started to follow the Coach to 5k programme after securing her ballot place in October.

Lots of generous businesses gave Lucy either a product of a voucher to give away in her charity raffle. Pictures by Leila Coker.Lots of generous businesses gave Lucy either a product of a voucher to give away in her charity raffle. Pictures by Leila Coker.
Lots of generous businesses gave Lucy either a product of a voucher to give away in her charity raffle. Pictures by Leila Coker.

"In November, after kitting myself out with all of the running gear I could find in the shop, I headed out for my first run," she added.

"The first run was 60 seconds of running followed by 90 seconds of jogging, for a total of 20 minutes. Now this sounds easy – but for someone who had never ran, I was shocked at how hard it was. But now, I’m ticking off the miles, and every Sunday (also known as ‘long run day’) I try and push myself further than the previous week.

"There’s just under eight weeks until race day, and every day is a challenge, but one I’m starting to love. ‘Runners high’ – the feeling when you come back in after a run, makes the hard slog that day worth it. I’m really seeing the benefits of running, and it’s definitely helping me keep my heart healthier. I see running being a part of my life forever – just maybe not in 26.2 mile bursts."

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Aside from the charity meal, Lucy has also spent a day fundraising at Tesco in Towcester, has held a bake sale and has been leaflet dropping in Northampton to make sure she can run in memory of her dad.

If you would like to donate to Lucy's fundraising page, click here. You can also follow her Instagram page by searching for @jog.on.lucy

Related topics:British Heart FoundationCoachNorthamptonTowcester

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