News & Events
Charlotte Bell continues John’s work
18 November 2008
Charlotte, widow of John Bell who lost his fight with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) last year aged 32 will be running the Sheffield half marathon next April to raise money for her local South Yorkshire MND Branch. Speaking just before her training session Charlotte said: “When John was ill our local MND Branch gave us so much support I wanted to do something that would directly benefit them.
“Everyone involved in the Branch is a volunteer and they raise money to provide people with vital pieces of equipment and financial support across South Yorkshire. I know how valuable their help is so I wanted to help them provide support to others faced with the same devastating position that John and I faced. "
John featured in the MND Association's first ever awareness raising campaign, John's Journey, that raised over £200,000 and doubled awareness of the Association. Charlotte continues the fund raising and awareness raising work that they both started after John was diagnosed with MND.
Since signing up to run the half marathon Charlotte now trains four times a week, with a mixture of running, cycling and swimming. Charlotte said: "It doesn't seem so long ago that I'd drive past runners, thinking 'how could they do it?' It just looked so unappealing. Now I feel like a real runner and despite losing three toenails I'm delighted to have completed my first ten mile run."
The Sheffield half marathon looks set to be a family affair with Charlotte's sister Francesca also running. "I didn't want to do this by myself; I really wanted a running buddy for moral support so I asked my sister, who also wasn't much of a runner! Thankfully she said yes immediately.”
John's mum Linda will also be volunteering during the half marathon and will be helping to man the water stands.
Charlotte says: “I want to do this to keep John’s memory alive. While John was here he did many things to help raise awareness and funds for the Association and I just want to continue this on his behalf.”
