hallmark news

April 2008

LOCAL CARER CRACKS THE 26 MILE CHALLENGE

A local carer from Maesteg has succeeded in running the 26-mile Flora London Marathon to raise money for charity.

After crying throughout the last mile, Michelle Williams from Hallmark Healthcare’s Bryn Celyn Care Home, victoriously passed the finish line of the marathon having raised over £4,000 for Home Start children's home.

Michelle said: “It was a truly amazing achievement to pass the finishing line and complete the full 26 miles. I hit the wall at 24 miles and really didn’t think that I was going to make it any further, but with people in all kinds of costumes passing me I was spurred on by the though of losing to the Pink Panther.”

When asked if she would do it again, Michelle replied: “Not never, but definitely not next year.”

Michelle decided to run the marathon after a high-spirited night in 2007 with two of her neighbours and trained hard for one year to reach the level of fitness required for the 26 mile challenge.

The chosen charity to support for the event was Home-Start care home for children, run totally by volunteers. So when the team was half hour behind schedule it was the thought of helping the children that got her through.

Michelle and her two close friends finished the marathon to raise £4,000 for Home Start which will help to improve the quality of lives of children who have lost their parents.

Michelle’s combined training with her full time job as an administrator at Bryn Celyn Care Home which places an emphasis on creating a welcoming homely environment. It caters for residential and nursing clients as well as the young physically disabled and is open to relatives at all times.

Bryn Celyn Care Home also has an active range of social activities such as tea dances and concerts on top of frequent outings and an ongoing schedule of activities.

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