Marathon effort as a `thank you’ to Ipswich Hospital staff

Former Thurleston High School pupil Sam Vincent completed the challenging Beachy Head Marathon in East Sussex on Saturday October 26, in a time of 5 hours 4 minutes.

The ran began and ended on the edge of Eastbourne.

Sam ran the marathon, his first, and was fundrasing for the Woolverstone Wish Appeal, to improve the facilities for patients and staff at the oncology day unit at Ipswich Hospital.

Cancer patients will benefit from the improvements in the department.

He works as a radiographer at Guy’s Hospital in London.

Sam wanted to raise funds for the Ipswich charity appeal as a `thank you’ to the Ipswich Hospital staff for the care they had given his dad, Evening Star journalist David Vincent, during his chemotherapy after surgery for bowel cancer.

Sam said: “It was a very tough run across country. I hit the wall at 22 miles, with cramp, and some other runners stopped and helped me stretch my legs.”

David Vincent added: “I had tremendous treatment, care and support from the staff at Ipswich Hospital and I was discharged after my course of treatment on May 2.

“I am very proud of Sam for completing such a difficult marathon for the Woolverstone Wish Appeal. It was amazing seeing the 2,000 runners setting off, uphill. The ryn was cross country across the Downs and included the Seven Sisters hills. A lot of people were running to raise money for worthwhile charities.

“He has raised just over £1,000 for the Woolverstone Wish and there is still time for that figure to rise.”

justgiving.com/sam-vincent1