A WORCESTER nurse will be running the London Marathon in memory of her mum who died from lung disease.
Tracey Dennehy, 51, is running the 2017 London Marathon on Sunday (April 23) to raise money for the British Lung Foundation (BLF).
Three years ago Tracey’s mum died of the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Her condition caused such severe breathlessness that she needed to be on oxygen in her home.
For many years Tracey and her family watched her mum struggle to catch her breath doing the simplest things.
Knowing that lung disease is chronically underfunded yet so common speared her to tackle it straight on.
“Several of my immediate family and friends suffer with lung diseases including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis,” she said.
“There are so many lung diseases, but they all have one thing in common, they leave you fighting for your breath.”
Tracey will now be joining more than 100 other runners as part of the BLF’s #TeamBreathe marathon running team, and is hoping for as many people as possible to come out to add to the atmosphere and cheer on all the runners.
She hopes her marathon effort will not only help increase awareness of lung disease, but raise over £3,000 for the BLF’s research, support and campaigning work, fighting the impact of lung disease throughout the UK.
“We tend to take being able to breathe easily for granted, but I couldn’t imagine not being able not to get my breath doing everyday tasks,” she said.
“So I started running 12 months ago to get a bit fitter and was persuaded by a work colleague to run the marathon for charity.
“Training has been tough. But I’ve enjoyed it and been inspired along the way by people who make you realise why you’re doing it.”
Anyone who would like to support Tracey can visit virginmoneygiving.com and search for Tracey Dennehy.
