Trevor Griffiths focussed and in action
Pauline Shaw with residents Bert and Jean.
Pauline Shaw thanking well-wishers as she passes by
Matt Petersen proudly displaying his medal after completing the run.
24 April 2017 – The London Marathon remains one of the biggest charity fundraising events in the UK and this year veterans’ charity The Royal Star & Garter Homes was represented by three runners keen to go the extra mile to raise funds for the Charity they feel so passionately for.
The 26.2-mile course was completed by Pauline Shaw, Director of Care and Service Development, Matt Petersen, a member of the Body of Governors for the Charity and Trevor Griffiths, an ex-Serviceman.
Matt Petersen, an Army reserve and the General Manager of Cowdray Park Polo Club, commented, “As a serving soldier, with now 30 years’ service to Queen and Country behind me, and having experienced the brutality of war and conflict first hand on six operational tours, this Charity has deep resonance with me and I’m extremely proud to support it.”
Pauline said, “I will remember my parents, particularly my mother Daphne Conway, a former resident of The Royal Star & Garter Homes, to whom I owe so very much. I will remember, because it is important to remember the contribution made by the nation’s veterans.”
Trevor explained his reasons for running, “I have read the history of The Royal Star & Garter Homes and can’t wait to raise money to help these ex-service men and women.”
After a gruelling run through London, Trevor completed the course in 4 hours and 33 minutes, whilst Matt finished in 5 hours and 13 minutes and Pauline in 5 hours and 54 minutes.
Reflecting on the day and describing what inspired her, Pauline says, “Taking part in the London Marathon was a truly extraordinary experience and I feel proud to have represented RS&GH and to have fundraised on behalf of our extraordinary residents. There were some tough times as I ran my first marathon, but the thought of all the generous support and love I have received kept me running, despite blisters and cramp…and the distance!”
After the run Pauline proudly visited the Homes to show off her medal to the residents and to tell them about her experience.
So far over £9000 has been raised for the Charity which will go towards providing outstanding nursing, therapeutic and dementia care to the ex-Service community.
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For further information please contact: Diane Fisher, Press Officer, e: iane.fisher@starandgarter.org, t: 0208 481 7669
Cally Madden, Marketing & Communications Manager, e: cally.madden@starandgarter.org, t: 020 8481 7692
Michelle Danks, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, e: michelle.danks@starandgarter.org, t: 020 8481 7691
About The Royal Star & Garter Homes:
The Royal Star & Garter Homes is a charity founded in 1916 to care for the severely injured young men returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War. Today we provide specialist care to the whole military family in our friendly, state-of-the-art Homes in Solihull, West Midlands, and Surbiton, Surrey, and we are building a new Home in High Wycombe which will open its doors in Spring 2018.
Disabled ex-Servicemen and women, and their spouses, can all benefit from our pioneering approach to nursing, dementia and therapeutic care.
We are proud to have enjoyed Royal patronage since our foundation, including that of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from 1953 to the present day.
The Charity celebrated its centenary in 2016: providing specialist care for disabled veterans since 1916.
Twitter: @starandgarter
Facebook: facebook.com/starandgarter
Website: www.starandgarter.org
