‘IS IT a bird? Is it a plane?’ No, it’s a Weymouth marathon running caped crusader.
Janet Hogan will be joining 1,400 superheroes running this year’s London Marathon for Children with Cancer UK.
The 65-year-old grandma will be taking to the streets of the capitol in her running gear, complete with cape on April 26 for the big event.
The charity is a leading children’s charity dedicated to the fight against all forms of childhood cancer. It funds life-saving research into the causes, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and works to protect young lives through essential welfare and campaigning programmes.
The charity says that in the UK 3,600 children and young people diagnosed with cancer every year.
There are more than 50 types of childhood cancer.
A former nurse, Mrs Hogan said she was looking forward to the challenge of the 26.2 mile course around London for the good cause.
She said: “So many children and families are affected with cancer. I have been lucky to get a place and have decided that this is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for a very worthwhile charity.”
While still nursing, Mrs Hogan was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The condition causes pain and tenderness in many areas of the body, and tiredness.
Mrs Hogan said that the condition caused her to have pain in all her limbs, she researched it online and found that exercise was one of the best things that can be done to tackle it.
So she started walking and running before taking on a marathon bid.
She said: “I gave myself a goal to complete a full marathon, which I did in Stockholm in 2007. I did London in 2011 and this will be my last aged 65 years.”
Mrs Hogan is currently in training for the big day and is hoping to raise as much as possible for the cause.
She joked: “I’m not a runner really, I’m a slow jogger.”
She added: “I shall get round even if I crawl over the finish line.”
Ben Twyman, Head of Events at Children with Cancer UK, said: “All our runners are superheroes for giving up their precious time, not only to train, but to raise much needed funds to help us fight childhood cancer.”
You can support Mrs Hogan by visiting her online charity donation site, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/janethogan.
CONTACT ME:
t: 01305 830981
e: catherine.bolado@dorsetecho.co.uk
twitter: @DorsetEchoCB
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