Following the cancellation of this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fundraiser Michelle Graham will instead be completing 13.1 miles whilst supporting the Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign.
Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign helps support the Neonatal Unit and Paediatric Cardiology Investigation department at the University Hospital of Wales through numerous fundraising activities, including a virtual performance by the Inspire Me Choir Motivators, which offered supporters the chance to sign up and learn the classic ‘Times Like These’ by the Foo Fighters. The very special virtual performance will be shown over the next coming weeks with the campaign raising a fantastic, £3,045.
Michelle, a longstanding supporter and fundraiser for the campaign and 35 of her friends and family will be tackling a 13.1 mile challenge between, 28th September and 4th October whilst obeying social distancing guidelines.
Among the 35 runners will be Philippa and James Atkins. On the 9th May 2020 Philippa and James met their beautiful baby Luna, who sadly passed away 3 days later. Following this tragic event, Philippa and Michelle decided to work together to raise money for the Neonatal Unit through Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign via Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, so far raising an amazing £1,424.
Philippa said “Michelle and I decided to arrange our own half marathon in October in honour of Luna, Martha, Skye, and many more children like them who have fought against the odds. Some have won and some have lost, but we honour them by continuing to raise money for the Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign! Luna has taught me, life is too short and too precious and that we owe it to her to fill the world with more music and more joy! So if you ever think you can’t, look up at the moon, and my baby will show you that the world is good and you are loved! I got to carry Luna for 9 months, and hold her for nearly 3 days! I knew my daughter and she was good! She has given me the strength to believe in myself and strive to make the world a better place!”
You can help them raise even more by contributing to Philippa’s page; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Philippa-Thomas7