A VET from Stratford whose passion for running has taken her all over the world is celebrating completing her 20th marathon.
Rachel Fielden, a vet at The Ark Veterinary Practice in Birmingham Road, took part in the London Marathon in April and raised £7,816 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
It was the 20th marathon she’s run over the past 10 years, and she’s clocked up a total of 524 miles running in events as far afield as New York and the North Pole.
She ran this year’s London Marathon in aid of charity Macmillan, which is close to her heart as it provided much-needed support to her family when her mum was suffering from terminal cancer.
Rachel was supported in her fundraising by colleagues and clients of The Ark, where she’s worked since she qualified as a vet in 2008. They helped her raise £6,386 through a Just Giving page and cash donations and an additional donation of £1,430 was made by VetPartners, the veterinary group The Ark is part of, through its charity fund.
Rachel said this was the first time she has raised money by taking part in a marathon, and was delighted to be able to do this in memory of her mum, who passed away 20 years ago.
She continued: “I was born and grew up in London, so to run my 20th marathon in my home city and in memory of mum was very poignant but also very special.
“I wanted to run for Macmillan because they gave us so much support when mum was unwell, particularly the night nurses who came to care for her while she was at home. I always remember their kindness to mum and to us at such a difficult time in our lives.
“My initial fundraising target was £2,500 so I am over the moon to have raised nearly £8,000. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, including our lovely clients and my wonderful colleagues.
“The team at The Ark were incredible and set up a donation station in reception with goodie bags for clients, and some of my colleagues took part in our local park run to help with fundraising. Many of them followed my progress online around the London Marathon course and were sending me messages that I could read on my watch and every one of these helped keep me going.”
