Three runners from Banbury raise money for charity in memory of 13-week-old Marianne

Three runners from Banbury, Martin West, Lee Davies and Rachel Piper have raised money for Helen & Douglas House by running the virtual London Marathon last month in memory of Martin’s daughter Marianne who died at the hospice.

As the marathon took place just over a year after Martin and Verity’s daughter Marianne died, they planned a special route from the Banbury Helen & Douglas House shop to Sun Rising National Burial Ground in Tysoe, where Marianne rests.

Marianne died on Saturday September 28, 2019 at Helen & Douglas House aged just 13 weeks. Marianne had Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, a rare progressive life-limiting condition. Sadly, there was no cure for her condition.

Martin said: "Helen & Douglas House played an important role in caring for Marianne during the last 13 days of her life – day and night – making sure she was comfortable and happy. The hospice team continued to care for our family for five more days after she passed at the hospice.

"Helen & Douglas House took all the responsibility for Marianne’s medical care and looking after all of us so well. This meant we could just focus on being parents and enjoy our time with Marianne. We made some wonderful memories there.

"In our lifetime we aim to, with various events, raise enough money to pay back the cost of looking after us as a family – estimated at between £40,000 and £50,000. So that another family can benefit in the future.

"Our hearts are broken but we hope that something good can come out of our tragedy. Please donate to help Helen & Douglas House support other families and children with severe, life limiting conditions."

Martin and Verity’s original target was to raise £10,000 in memory of Marianne and they have now well exceeded that having raise 12,805 including money raised from the virtual London Marathon.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the fundraising campaign in memory of baby Marianne can use the following web link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marianne-westLee Davies, a running buddy of Martin’s, did the Virtual London Marathon with Martin and Rachel and also ran the Virtual Oxford Half marathon in aid of Helen & Douglas House, and has raised £4,051. Lee has been running to raise money for the charity for many years.

Lee said: "I completed the 26 miles with Martin who is a prolific fundraiser for Helen & Douglas House.

"We ran in memory of his daughter Marianne, who lost her brave battle for life just a year ago now. The team at Helen & Douglas House do a remarkable job caring for children and making sure every moment of their short lives is fun and fulfilling.

"They rely almost entirely on public donations to continue their work and this is where you come in. Please donate as much as you can afford to maintain the facilities on which so many local children rely."