MALVERN resident Sam Hawkes and his Worcester-based brother Josh conquered the London Marathon in support of the National Deaf Children’s Society and have almost reached their £5,000 fund-raising goal.
Josh finished the marathon distance of 26.2 miles in a time of three hours, 55 minutes, followed by Sam on four hours, 40 minutes.
The brothers have raised an incredible £4,430 to date, and hope to reach the £5,000 mark for the charity, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families including the 420 in Worcestershire.
They chose to run for the National Deaf Children’s Society because Sam’s daughter Ada was born deaf and received cochlear implants last year. The family has been receiving ongoing support from the charity.
Sam lives in Malvern with his wife Tilly and daughters Lyla, six and Ada, three, while Josh lives in Worcester with his wife Laura and three children, Zara, five, James, three and one-year-old Eva,
Sam said: “The race was incredible. I had the biggest smile most of the way round and getting over that line was the best feeling in the world. The amazing crowds, especially the National Deaf Children’s Society cheer point, put a spring in our step for the last few hundred metres.
“Josh and I were absolutely inspired by our beautiful Ada. Even though she has cochlear implants, it seems she much prefers to sign so that is her primary source of communication. It’s a steep learning curve for all of us but we love the journey, and seeing Ada grow each day.
“The National Deaf Children’s Society has been there for us throughout all of this. They’ve provided invaluable support, knowledge and resources that we would have been lost without. This was our way of saying thank you.
Melissa Jones, of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s fund-raising team, added: “I want to say a massive congratulations to Sam and Josh for taking on and conquering the London Marathon for us. We’re so proud of them.
“The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families.
The efforts of selfless fundraisers like Sam and Josh will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sam-hawkes or tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/josh-hawkes to donate.
