Northampton bride-to-be inspired by NGH nurse to run 'two marathons' in wedding tutu

Should-be bride Chantelle dresses up every Sunday using her veil, a fake bouquet and wedding dress tutu to raise money for NGH wards
By Carly Roberts
Published 5th May 2020, 19:00 BST
Updated 5th May 2020, 19:24 BST

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Chantelle Esposito is racing for the NHS every Sunday while dressed up in a wedding veil and white tutu. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Chantelle Esposito is racing for the NHS every Sunday while dressed up in a wedding veil and white tutu. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Chantelle Esposito is racing for the NHS every Sunday while dressed up in a wedding veil and white tutu. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

Chantelle Esposito, 35, of Far Cotton, has found an inventive way to put her wedding accessories to good use after her big day has been put on pause.

Next month the mum-of-two should have been tying the knot at the Guildhall to her fiance but after lockdown measures were enforced in March, her wedding has been rearranged to June 2021.

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Inspired by her friend who works at NGH, Chantelle originally said she wanted to run the distance of a marathon to raise money for Northamptonshire Health Charity - but she's now doubled her distance to 52.4 miles.

Chantelle's family help her get dressed up every Sunday before she starts her hour-long charity run. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Chantelle's family help her get dressed up every Sunday before she starts her hour-long charity run. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Chantelle's family help her get dressed up every Sunday before she starts her hour-long charity run. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

She said: "I wanted to dress for the runs with it being for a great cause.

"So I decided as my partner and I should be getting married this year, I'd dress up as 'Channie The Should-Be Bride'. I've used my veil, a fake bouquet and wedding dress tutu.

"My fiance and son help plaster me in face painted rainbows, NHS lettering and love hearts. I wanted to dress like this to pay tribute, not only thank the heroes in our health system but also as a little nod to everyone whose lives have changed so much at the moment and how normal life, as we know it, is currently on hold for the greater good."

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Chantelle, who has so far raised £220, has so far ran 19.21 miles and estimates she will cross the 'finish line' in another five weeks.

Chantelle and her husband-to-be should be getting married next month but instead she's putting her wedding accessories to good use raising money for charity. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Chantelle and her husband-to-be should be getting married next month but instead she's putting her wedding accessories to good use raising money for charity. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Chantelle and her husband-to-be should be getting married next month but instead she's putting her wedding accessories to good use raising money for charity. Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

She added: "I've so far ran around Delapré, Far Cotton and the Hardingstone area. We live in Far Cotton and our community have been utterly incredible in cheering me on, waving, taking pictures, clapping and asking me where I might be and when to try and spot me.

"The best thing I've been told each Sunday is 'how it's made people giggle and smile' and, at a time like this, knowing people are smiling is such a great feeling.

"I post my route on the morning of the run on my own Facebook page and the Facebook community groups for our area and what time I aim to leave.

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"My JustGiving target says £600 but in all honesty, I want to raise as much as I possibly can. I have other ideas as well as the running to try and raise funds for the charity..."

To follow Chantelle's runs, click here, or to donate, follow this link.

Related topics:NorthamptonNorthamptonshire Health CharityNHSFacebook

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