Herne Bay mum takes on Brighton Marathon for BEAT charity

In an effort to raise funds for BEAT, the UK’s leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders, Herne Bay resident Nicky Raeburn completed the Brighton Marathon and raised over £800 in the process.

 

We caught up with Nicky, 47, who works for a criminal law firm, to find out what inspired her to take part and how she fared during the 26.2-mile charitable Brighton Marathon for BEAT.

 

Nicky explained: “I started running just under 3 years ago to help my daughter Maddie with her recovery from anorexia. She is my inspiration; the drive behind my running; the reason for signing up to participate in the Brighton Marathon.

“I wanted to raise awareness of eating disorders and encourage people to talk openly about the illness. I hoped through sharing our experiences, it may help other families going through similar situations. I contacted BEAT and asked if they would be happy for me to run for the charity.

“I had trained hard and was ready for the event in April 2020. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the marathon was postponed; twice. Maddie became ill again and I faced some personal challenges. Running became a real struggle for me, I even considered pulling out of Brighton.

“Fortunately, I had the support of friends and fellow runners who encouraged me to continue. I hoped to finish under 4 ½ hours. And I did! 4 hours 24 minutes and I was thrilled. Thrilled, not just for my time, but thrilled to finally say “I have competed Brighton Marathon”.

“Running has been great, not only for my physical health, but also my mental health. It’s taken me to some beautiful places and has made me truly appreciate my surroundings. I would encourage anyone to run, no matter your ability. All you need is a pair of trainers and an open mindset. You never know, in a few years’ time, it could be you crossing the finish line at Brighton Marathon.”

 

In total, Nicky raised an amazing £847 for BEAT, smashing their original target of £500 and made sure to thank all of those who donated finishing with: “We are truly grateful for the generosity of all the people who donated to our GoFundMe page.”

 

The fundraiser is still open and you can donate to support our local Nicky who took on the Brighton Marathon for BEAT charity here. Find out more about the BEAT charity via their website.

Exclusives by Area

Search