Billie Ward

Being given a place in the London Marathon 2027 was definitely not on my  bingo card and it’s going to be a challenge. However a challenge i’m willing to take on to raise money for the incredible Myton Hospice. 

Here’s a little bit of my family’s story and why this is so incredibly important to me… 

My nan was my inspiration and best friend rolled into one. I grew up gardening in her greenhouse, crafting and making cards, stealing grandads snacks, caravan holidays, sleepovers with ‘midnight feast’ and journeys to Watford with the magic suitcase full of magazines for me and my little twin cousins!

When i was 12, my Nan was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer after a battle with breast cancer a few years earlier. During this time i also became a big sister to my now 7 year old sister, Andi, who was actually born on my nan’s birthday which was incredibly special! 

However, 8 weeks later, my Nan became more and more unwell. She was moved into Myton where instantly they provided my nan and our family an immense amount of comfort. 

They helped us decorate my nans room for Christmas, snuggled baby Andi and gave us space to simply just be together as a family. 

Myton didn’t just care for my Nan- they cared for all of us. 

Myton also supported me with counselling after my Nans passing and spent time listening to my thoughts and worries and helped me make an incredible memory box full of things that reminded me of nan, we’d made together or pictures. I still have this memory box kept safe and brings me such comfort 8 years on. 

A short time later, my great Auntie Dor Dor, my nans sister, also spent her final moments at Myton Hospice where again they provided such incredible support and care to both my auntie and us all as a family. 

Throughout the years, Myton have also provided incredible care and support with both dignity and respect, not just to my nan and auntie but to other family members, friends and loved ones. 

We will all be forever grateful for Myton Hospice🦋

So London Marathon 2027- here we go🏃‍♀️

For my Nan. For Auntie Dor Dor. For all our loved ones. For Myton❤️

Running 26.2 miles through the streets of London will be one of the biggest challenges I have ever taken on. It will mean months of training, early mornings, long runs, tired legs and plenty of determination before I even reach the start line.

Every mile of that training will be worth it if it helps The Myton Hospices continue supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

We know £150,000 is an ambitious target, but with your support, we are confident we can reach it.

The Myton Hospices provides compassionate care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families, both in its Inpatient Units and out in the community.

It costs over £15 million every year to provide its services free of charge to patients and their loved ones.

As a charity, with less than 20% of its funding coming from the NHS, Myton must raise more than £12 million this year.

More people than ever need a Hospice Bed and, tragically, too many people on the waiting list for a bed at Myton will die before they can access one.

As the only provider of Hospice Inpatient Beds in Coventry and Warwickshire, the demand is huge.

That is why I am taking on the London Marathon. I want to help raise the money Myton needs to be there for everyone who needs its care, now and in the future.

To reach this year’s £150,000 target, Myton relies entirely on sponsorship from people like you. Here is what your support could help fund:

• £94 could fund one adult counselling session
• £360 could fund Myton at Home for one patient for one day
• £450 could fund an Inpatient bed for one day
• £545 could fund the required drugs for one patient

Please donate today and help make every mile count for people who need The Myton Hospices most.