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Chantal Rafferty

TCS London Marathon 2024

Please help me
reach my goal

Raised

£4,605 + £899.25 GiftAid

My Goal

£4,000

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My activity tracking

0
miles

My target 26 miles

Why I am fundraising for Parkinson's UK

I made it into the London Marathon in 2024 and first time of trying through the ballot! I still can't believe it! When I first started running back in 2019 I could barely run around our local park let alone contemplate a marathon so here goes!

My beloved dad had Parkinson's and it was so sad to see a lovely man still full of life slowly deteriorate from this horrible neurological condition. I can't imagine how he must have felt in those last few months of his life when he could barely communicate or function.

His name was Edward Joseph Rafferty, affectionately known as Ted by all who knew him. He was a D-Day Veteran and Chief Engineer in the Navy. He was passionate about football and was a lifelong Liverpool supporter! A devoted, husband, dad and granddad and a man who worked hard for his family all his life. He passed away in 1998.

Please help me raise money to help people with Parkinson's live a better life than my dad did in those final few months and years and to help find a cure for this devastating condition. #doitforTed

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

My updates

I did it!

Wednesday 24th Apr
Woo hoo, I did it! Blimey it was tough as I got a stitch after mile 9 and it was so painful. I couldn’t re-fuel (apart from water) from then on as it hurt too much so my energy was really zapped. Coming into the last 8 or so miles I could feel my body temperature increasing and it didn’t feel quite right so I drank as much water as I could and tried to wet my face and neck to cool myself down. 
Then when I saw the sign saying 600 yards to go I dug right in and sprinted as fast as I could to cross over the line!
What an experience along the route: lots of people out cheering, clapping, whistling, music from every direction. At one point it was painfully deafening and not quite the experience I wanted but I had to respect the love and support of the crowds. 
And thanks to all of you wonderful people I have surpassed my original goal of fundraising £1000 and we’re heading towards £5000 mark!!!

It's tapering time!

Thursday 11th Apr
I'm nearly there and so it's time to taper! What does that mean you might ask!
I've been following a specific marathon training plan which builds you up week by week with longer and longer runs, clocking up the miles/kms, strength training included as well, lots of yoga (obvs!), less visits to the pub (booo!)
Now as there are less than 2 weeks to go, it's time for my body to back off and consolidate all the training and taper, ie, wind down the long runs. The theory being that I'm now marathon ready and I need to be kind to my body and take it easy. Plus I don't want to risk getting an injury.
That doesn't mean no running whatsoever, but now I can go out for a gentle shorter run to keep my legs ticking over every couple of days.
I'm finding it hard to back off though as I love my long runs - being with my own thoughts and the solitude and the challenge of it too. But I am being sensible! 
Unfortunately last week I caught a cold so I had no choice but to slow down!
Today is a 'rest day' for me so no running but I'll go for a walk around my local park, Pittville, to keep my legs moving!

My official Parkinson's UK vest has arrived!

Friday 22nd Mar
My official vest has arrived and I've been wearing it with pride this week! Initially it was chaffing around my armpits so this morning I used 'Bodyglide' which is a great anti chaffing stick that I use on on my shoulders and neck for my water pack. It worked! 35k and no chaffing!
It was a hard slog though this morning, I did not want to get out of bed and my legs felt really heavy but I was determined to do the distance even though I was slow.
If it wasn't for all my sponsors I'm not sure I would be able to do it. Thanks again for your support xx

I'm on track!

Monday 19th Feb
I completed a massive milestone (literally!) at the weekend by running a 28 mile race in Coalport. It was a lovely route alongside a disused railway line. However, I couldn't quite take in the lovely surroundings as it was a struggle to keep running the distance! The last 5k were the worse I've ever experienced and admittedly I had a little cry, told myself to pull myself together, called on my dad to help me through and I did it. Yay!
Today, Monday, my toes still hurt and my thighs are a bit sore but I feel buzzed from the experience and will take that with me to London in April.
My next stage of my training now is to focus on speed so if you're in Cheltenham you might spot me running up and down hills and speeding around Pittville Park as I raise my game!

I'm getting there!

Tuesday 12th Dec
I've been following some great training plans over the last few months which culminated in me running a marathon distance around the streets of Cheltenham in November! I did this distance once last year too. I was very happy with my time of 4hours 35 minutes. I feel I'm on track to achieve my goal of 4 hours 30 minutes at London. 
I've also signed up for a 28 mile (45km) race in February up in Telford. It's an 'ultra' which technically means anything longer than a marathon. If I can finish that I'll be very happy!

My training so far

Sunday 1st Oct
I'm now well into my training for the marathon and getting in lots of long runs during the week. I normally run on 4 days, do strength training on 1 day and have 2 rest days (of not running) plus my daily yoga practice. I've adapted it considerably to work on strengthening my legs, hips and core.
This week my longest run was 30k and it went really well. I felt strong at the end and felt that actually I might be able to finish the London Marathon in a good time!
I recently ran the Cheltenham half and achieved a PB (personal best) so I was super happy with that as it was quite hot! Next weekend I've got the Cricklade half marathon which I'm hoping will be another PB as I need to get faster to achieve my 4hrs 30 minutes goal for the London Marathon!

Thank you to my sponsors

£20

Annie Knight-elliott

£20

Sally March

£10

Gemma Hastilow-smith

Amazing! Well done Chan x

£50

Valerie Hanson

Congratulations on an amazing achievement Chan! Well done 👏🏻

£20

Ned And Heather Holt

Congratulations, Chantal! A great achievement.

£100

Helen Anderson

Well done Chantal!

£10

Alison Wolfe

£100

Anonymous

Congratulations on completing the marathon. V.

£20

Anonymous

£20

Anonymous

£15

Annette

Well done Chantal, and for smashing your fundaiser. To your dad and all those living with Parkinson's..... big hugs.

£20

Jenny Faulkner

Well done, that’s amazing!!

£50

Jill Embleton

A huge well done! Jilly & Richard x

£10

Francesca Morgan

Bravissima well done wow

£10

David Tipper

Go Chantal!! You will be amazing 💖

£20

Heather

Wonderful Achievement Chantal - Congratulations 🍾🥂👍💐

£50

Sarah Banner

Go go go Sport Billy!!! You are amazing 🤩❤️!!!!

£20

Helen Norris

You are amazing, good luck and hope yiu raise lots for good cause x

£10

Nicola

Good luck Chantal x

£10

Julia Reilly

Good Luck Chantal!! You are a star 🌟 xxx

£15

Paul Featonby

£10

Jenny Commerford

Another phew quid to top your goal Chantal. How proud your dad would be of you 🙏💙🩵🕉️

£20

Jenny Commerford

Go Go Go Chantal. You have done all the hard work - well done! - so now go out and enjoy the day Soak up the atmosphere and feel very proud.

£10

Helen Mckenna

Your Dad was such a lovely Man he would be so proud of you. I know you will do amazing. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥰🥰

£15

Kathryn Price

BEST WISHES CHANTEL - GO GIRL My Aunty who was like a Mum to me and my sister also had Parkinson's.

£15

Ann Sohn-rethel

Well done Chantal!

£20

Jane & Dan Robinson

Go Chantal!

£20

Lorna Harris

Best of luck Chan! Xxx

£10

Karen Mason

Go Chantal!

£50

Ian W

See you in the pub!

£50

Nicky Williams

To have got this far is a magnificent achievement so just enjoy the day.

£20

Jane Ellis

Keep on running ……

£10

Laura Hough

Good luck! 😀

£20

Clare (chadband)

Good luck, Chantal

£5

Clare Waterman

Well done Chantal! Your Dad would be proud x

£10

Sandra Cheetham

Good luck

£20

Alan Stredwick

Good luck chantal. Will keep an eye out for you!!!!

£25

Shirley Jones

Best of luck, Chantal!

£10

Susan Duncombe

Good luck! Looking forward to hearing all about it next Tuesday. Enjoy that well deserved glass of red at the end.

£20

Jane Wild

You know you can do it, just enjoy the day!

£10

Mary

Lots of love and luck for the big day xx ❤️ 🍀

£20

Lynda Johnson

Hoping to spot you on TV crossing the line! But if not, the very best of luck to you on the 21st in raising money for this incredibly worthwhile cause. Your Dad would be so proud of you! Take care! x

£50

Grainne Carpenter

£30

Jo White

£100

Gareth Williams

£50

David Black

£10

Anonymous

Go Chantal!

£30

Elizabeth Floyer

Good luck Chantal. I’m sure all your hard work will pay off for this deserving cause.

£30

Katherine And Ruchard

Run well Chantal!

£20

Phil Daniels

Go on Chantal!!!

£50

Sylvia Ellis

Do it for my Dad too. Lewis Fazey, bus driver. 13 November 1911 - 13 July 2004

£5

Tracey

Good luck, you will smash it

£100

Anonymous

All the best! M :-))

£10

Margaret Threadgold

Good luck!

£20

David & Jenny Durnell

£50

Paul Sharples

You're doing a wonderful thing, Chantal! I really hope you really enjoy the experience. Beware the Isle of Dogs! I found that bit of the race an absolute killer.

£10

Fiona Pryce

Best of luck, Chantal!

£20

Judith Bartow

£10

Suzi Mackenzie

Good luck Chantal, you can do it!! Amazing what you’ve achieved already!😃

£10

Caroline Dyson

Good luck Chantal!

£30

Zoe Herington

Very good luck Chantal! All the very best, Zoe x

£25

Clare C

Good luck!

£20

Maurice Harbridge

Keep going!

£10

Deborah Barrett

Good luck!

£5

Rosemary Rowland

£20

Robin Ogden

Good luck!

£50

Philippa Dancey

What an incredible challenge for such a worthy cause. Good luck. Xx

£30

Eleanor Townsend

£30

Jessica Symons

Good luck Chantal! 🏃🏼‍♀️

£30

Sara Hickman

Good luck!!

£10

Margaret Chandler

You Go Girl! Love your Spirit. Sending Hugs

£10

Angie Cottrell

Brilliant cause, wishing you lots of luck and blessings x

£10

Sophie Page

Good luck Chantal! I know you will smash it 😊

£50

Paul Rose

Smash it Chan..!!!! xx

£20

Anonymous

May the wind lift your wings Chantal

£40

Gill, Simon & Imogen

You've got this Chan, go smash it! A very admirable thing that you are doing for an incredibly heartfelt cause.

£10

Heather Ullyott

Go for it Tilly. Will be rooting for you. Much love from Spain xx

£50

Liz Traylen

Keep up with the training. Good luck!

£20

Michele

Keep running! You've go this!

£20

Gemma R

Good luck Chantal!

£10

Clare Perry

Good luck, Chan. xx

£20

Sara

Good luck.

£10

Mo Purser

Good luck!

£10

Edith Black

Good luck!

£10

Steph

Good luck Chantal! I know you’ll smash it!

£20

Audrey Healy

Go girl! You will totally smash it :) Great cause too x

£10

Christina Mcdermid

The Angels will be above you, below you and either side of you……

£40

Pina Clarke

In bocca al lupo per la tua Maratona. Forza, faro' il tifo per te!

£20

Jackie Lord

Goo luck!

£30

Emily Williams

Good luck Chan! See you at the finish line!! xx David and Emily

£100

Deborah Lewis

Good luck Channy chan chan. RUNNING A MARATHON! Who would've thought you'd be doing this 30 years ago lol! And for an amazing cause. Love you x

£20

Becky Brown

Fabulous cause Chantal. My Mum suffered with the disease for many years & then she got dementia too. Horrendous. I know you’re going to smash it but I’m still in awe! X

£10

Moira Gage

Go Girl! Good Luck Chantal. Moira x

£20

Gill Hopkins

good luck Chantal

£50

Kath Williams

Dad's are special Chantal.

£200

Jay / Prithvi

ALL THE BEST , YOU WILL SMAH IT 🙌

£10

Nicky Sheppard

Good luck 🤗

£10

Roni

Go for it!

£20

Sarah C

Superstar you got this in the bag xx

£33

Jonathan Whittley

Very happy to help you carry on being you ! Lots of love xx

£20

Jane M

Good luck Chantal!

£20

Sue Jones

Go for it Chantal!

£30

Mark Faulkner

Brilliant!! Lots of love Jenny and Mark

£50

Shital Pattani

Go Chantal! Will be thinking of you all the way...Sx

£30

Sarah Ridley

So exciting. See you in the day xx

£30

Liz Francis

Good luck Chantalxx

£20

Marks

£20

Victoria Angelo-thomson

Well done you, Chantal, this is a great achievement and for a good cause too. My Grandfather had Parkinsons. Love, Vanessa, xx

£10

Madeleine Mifflin

£20

Ann Jones

£10

Katie Coleman

You'll be brilliant, Chantal!

£20

Lynda Rowland

You can do it, Chantal!

£20

Rachel Done

Congratulations on getting your place Chan, looks like you’re going to smash your target amount! My cousin died last year from Parkinson’s so definitely close to my ❤️ You really are inspiring, our own Little Pocket Rocket.🚀

£26

Richard

A quid a mile 🤑😮‍💨😅

£20

Christine S

Well done Chantal and all my best wishes for the training and this big challenge ! I am sure you will make your Dad proud.

£20

Helen Clements

Good luck 🤞

£50

David Myerson

Good luck!

£20

Sarah Cox

£20

Lorraine Regel

Good luck with the training Chantal. Hopefully we’ll be there to cheer you on on the day.

£15

Deborah Crofts

Good luck! Debs x

£20

Sharon Graves

Go go go Chantal! You’ll smash it. I’ll track you on the way round. Such a good cause xx

£20

Tanya Brookes

Great cause well done for doing the marathon x

£20

Renee Mealey

£100

Fiona Price

Wishing you the best of luck for the London Marathon. I know you’ve been putting the training in! xx

£30

David Pavey

Good luck - but you’ll ace it!

£10

Lesley Barrett

Good luck Chantal

£20

Michael

I'm impressed by your training routine!!

£10

Linda Phipps

Good luck Chantal. You can do it!

£20

Laura Rawcliffe

I can't believe I actually know someone who can run 26 miles, You are amazing!

£20

Kerry Richardson

Well done Chantal. You’ve got this! Xx

£40

Amanda Thomas

Hi Kiddo Don't panic - you can do it! Amanda xx

£10

Ann Sohn-rethel

Well done Chantal. Good cause.

£20

Nicola Goldsmith

Good luck! Great cause Nicola x

£20

Anne Dawson

Have a great run Chantal. My father also had Parkinsons and also died in 1998.

£20

Janet Pain

£20

Anonymous

£10

Rosemary Rowland

Good luck Chantal 👍

£20

Jackie Dyson

£20

Ann Mathie

Great cause. Good luck

£30

Michael And Maureen

Good luck

£50

Claire Hanson

Good luck Chantal. For you Dad and mine who is living with this cruel disease.

£10

Lynda Dutton

All the best for your training and, of course, the marathon itself!

£10

Ailsa Mclellan

Hope the training goes well Chantal!

£20

Shirley Jones

Good luck, Chantal!

£20

Annie Knight-elliott

£30

Vivienne House

Well done Chantel, fantastic. My dad was also a D-Day veteran.

£20

Pam Edwards & Libby Hiollinshead

£30

Penny

Good luck

£10

Emma Reuvers

Run like the wind! Good luck Chan!

£20

Ned And Heather Holt

Good luck with this, Chantal. An old friend of ours lived with Parkinson's for about twenty years, and this donation is in his memory.

£50

Marianne Kenley

Well done Chantal, hope the training is going well. See you soon

£30

Janis Eva

Good luck

£50

Anonymous

£26

Helen Gentles

Great cause - Enjoy!

£10

Lynda Rowland

Very happy to support your effort on behalf of your dad x

£15

Anona Greening

Good luck Chantal. A very good cause.

£30

Michael Bourne

I know you'll do it !!

£10

Lesley Barrett

£25

Anonymous

Bless you, x

£50

Hilary Mitchell

Good luck Chantal!

£30

Lisa Garforth

Good luck and enjoy it x

£10

Lisa Bennett

Best of luck Chantal!

£10

Francesca Morgan

Good luck

£100

Jane

Well done you have got this!!

£20

Pam Savell

£10

Gill Hopkins

£20

Linda Phipps

£10

Peter Bryenton

Go Chantal!

£10

Anonymous

£20

Anonymous

£50

Stuart Calder

Good luck Chantal you'll be brilliant! A great cause, one I can very much relate to having lost my dad in similar condition in 2018 x

£30

Doug & Jane Jones

£30

Diane Mautterer

Good luck, Chantal. I’m sure you’ll smash it! Di x

£50

Chantal Rafferty