Maria Roe is taking part in this weekend’s London Marathon in the hope of raising £2,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust.

Ely Standard: Jacob WrightJacob Wright (Image: Archant)

Maria, from Ely, will be running for Team Jacum, a fundraising initiative set up by Bob and Claire Wright in memory of their son, Jacob, who died at just one year from terminal illness, Leigh’s disease.

The Sutton couple set up the group to fundraise for the charities that supported them while Jacob was seriously ill.

When Jacob was undergoing treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, Bob and Claire were able to stay close by to him in Acorn House, a ‘home from home’ provided by The Sick Children’s Trust.

Claire said “We will be forever grateful to The Sick Children’s Trust for enabling us to spend as much time as possible with Jacob.

“Every moment spent with Jacob is a precious memory and without Acorn House, we would have faced sleepless nights on the hospital floor or in the car, as there was no way we would leave Jacob’s side to go home.”

Good friend of Claire, Maria, has been busy fundraising for her London Marathon sponsorship with Team Jacum and has organised and taken part in lots of bake sales, car boot sales, bingo nights, raffles and quiz evenings as well as keeping up with her tight training schedule.

Maria, 30 said “I am really looking forward to the London Marathon, I am not a runner at all but I walked a marathon last year and the atmosphere and thrill of crossing the finish line was amazing. It has been hard to consistently train especially on the cold, wet and dark evenings but knowing I am doing it to support Team Jacum keeps me motivated.

“I saw first-hand the support Bob and Claire received in Acorn House and it really was invaluable to them. I hope that the money I raise will help to support many more families like Jacob’s who are facing such difficult circumstances.”

If you would like to sponsor Maria and support The Sick Children’s Trust please visit her just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Maria-Gingell2.