Mary Braddock spent her Sunday successfully completing the Great South Run to raise money for Horatio’s Garden Midlands!
Please click here to donate to Mary’s JustGiving page
Whilst it may have been the fourth time Mary’s taken on this particular challenge, it was her first time running in aid of Horatio’s Garden, having only discovered the charity recently after her husband, Mike, sustained a spinal cord injury.
Mike spent five months at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries, located at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. With his time at the centre coinciding with the height of the pandemic, Mike’s loved ones were unable to visit him in hospital due to Coronavirus restrictions throughout the duration of his stay.
Mike regularly ventured to Horatio’s Garden, finding peace of mind here and using his hours in the sanctuary to call Mary, his family and friends at home, as well as enjoying simply being amongst the planting.
Knowing that the garden was a source of comfort to Mike put Mary’s mind more at rest too. This, combined with her feeling that Horatio’s Garden is a living monument to Horatio Chapple, whom the charity is named after and who Mary regards as an ‘inspired young man’, is the reason she was proud to support us this autumn.
The race went very well and whilst it got off to a chilly start, eventually the weather was kind and it became remarkably sunny throughout the October morning. Mary credits Mike for managing to both spot and capture her as she made her way around the course, something which certainly tired her out but fortunately didn’t leave her with any blisters!
Mary also shared that she, Mike and all their family were thrilled with Mary’s JustGiving total, which so far stands brilliantly at almost £350 and far above her original £100 target! The kindness and generosity shown by all her supporters means a great deal to both Mary and Mike, so if you would like to make a contribution there’s still time to do so by simply clicking the link below.
Please click here to donate to Mary’s JustGiving page
We are immensely grateful for all Mary’s fundraising efforts and wish both her and Mike all the very best. It’s been wonderful to hear about Mary’s run and to be able to share her moving, inspirational story with all of you.
