Crematorium manager Shaun Chapman-Young will get to tick off a lifelong bucket list item next year when gets to run the London Marathon.
Shaun, manager of Westerleigh Cemetery & Crematorium just outside Bristol, says that the world-famous run will be one of the biggest challenges of his life.
He knows he will need to dig deep, but will find inspiration and motivation from knowing he will be raising money for Winston’s Wish, a bereavement charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.
Westerleigh Cemetery & Crematorium is part of Westerleigh Group, one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 42 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, and which is trusted by more families than any other provider to deliver funerals for their loved ones.
All of Westerleigh's locations are set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide peaceful places for people to visit and reflect, while benefitting from exceptional care and support from its teams.
Shaun, who lives in Corsham, Wiltshire, said: “Running a marathon has always been on my bucket list and I’ve applied for a ballot position in the London marathon every year for at least 20 years but never been successful.
“I had forgotten I’d applied so it was a surprise when I had an email to say I had been successful.
“I used to routinely run, but not so much as I’ve gotten older but I want to prove to myself that I can still do it.
“I’ve run a half-marathon before, but never a full marathon. I ran a 10k last year and suffered an Achilles injury but now I am ready to take on this challenge.”
Shaun has set up a Just Giving page and hopes to raise at least £500 for Winston’s Wish.
He added: “This is a charity that we work closely with through my role at the crematorium, and it has also supported people I know, and their experiences were very positive.
“This will be one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever taken on, and crossing that finish line is going to be a huge achievement that I will be very proud of.
“But knowing I will have raised money for such a great cause will be the icing on the cake – although I won’t be having any cake until after the run!
“I’ve spectated at the London Marathon many times, and there is always such a good vibe. So many people turn out to watch and the whole city is filled with positivity, which is going to be very exciting.”
As for the hardest part of the challenge, he said, that will be the training.
“I know I will have to be out during the winter months, and keeping motivated to do this will be hard, but again, knowing that I will be raising money for such a worthy cause will help me to keep going.”
If you would like to support Shaun’s fundraising efforts, visit his Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/page/shaunvsthelondonmarathon
For more information about Westerleigh Cemetery & Crematorium and the exceptional care and support it provides to local families, visit www.westerleighcrem.co.uk
