Rosemarie raises £1,400 in support of UK hearing loss charity
A first-time marathon runner has raised more than £1,400 in support of the UK-wide charity Hearing Link by running the Brighton Marathon.
Rosemarie Clancy, 48, put her best foot forward for 26 miles in support of Hearing Link, which provides information and support for people living with hearing loss, their families and friends in all four countries of the UK.
She was inspired to raise funds for the charity after it supported her daughter-in-law Laura when she suffered Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) in 2014. Laura and her husband Carl both attended the charity’s Intensive Rehabilitation Programme, which offered them practical and emotional support for the challenges of living with hearing loss.
Rosemarie from Isleworth in Middlesex said: “Hearing Link has been such a great source of support for both Laura and my son Carl. Its programme offered them solutions to managing and coping with the huge change to their daily lives.
“The difference they have made to Laura’s life is amazing and as a result she is now actively involved in supporting others with hearing loss, writing blogs and offering email support. I was
delighted to run the Brighton Marathon in support of their work.”
Rosemarie had a wonderful experience running the event and completed in a time of 5hrs 17mins after running and walking part of the route.
She said: “The crowds in Brighton and on the whole route were fantastic. Bands playing, kids high-fiving, plenty of jelly beans and jelly babies being handed out, cut oranges, and spectators holding encouraging and inspiring signs. Never underestimate just how much the sight, sound and encouragement of strangers make each painful step that little bit more painless.
“Continuing for the last mile or so I was determined I wasn’t going to walk again. I needed to finish this marathon with a run. I passed under the foot bridge on the left hand side of the roadway to hear my name and tucked into a corner was Carl, Laura and Jackie (Laura’s mum). I was kind of shocked to have finally seen them, but it gave me great encouragement and inspired me to cross the finish line.”
Rosemarie’s efforts have so far raised £1,405.13 for Hearing Link with more donations still being collected.
Lorraine Gailey, Chief Executive of Hearing Link, said: “We are delighted that Rosemarie fulfilled her goal of completing a marathon while raising such a phenomenal amount towards our work in the UK. The money she has raised will help us to provide more practical and emotional support for people, like her daughter-in-law Laura, who are struggling with the daily challenges that hearing loss can bring. Thank you to everyone who supported her efforts.”
Rosemarie added: “I’m totally overwhelmed by the support my marathon challenge has received and I’m over the moon to have raised so much for such a wonderful charity.”
There’s still time to support Rosemarie. Donate now at: https://www.justgiving.com/Rosie-Clancy.
To read about Laura’s experiences of hearing loss, visit:
https://theinvisibledisabilityandme.wordpress.com/.
For information and support for hearing loss visit www.hearinglink.org or email helpdesk@hearinglink.org, call 0300 111 1113 or text 07526 123255.
For further information please contact:
Lorna Armstrong, Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: lorna.armstrong@hearinglink.org
Tel/SMS: 07534 563485
Notes to Editors
Photograph: Rosemarie with her daughter-in-law Laura after completing the Brighton Marathon.
About Hearing Link
Hearing Link is a UK charity for people who have developed any level of hearing loss and their family and friends. It provides information and support and puts them in contact with others who have similar experiences. It aims to give people the knowledge, skills, confidence and contacts so they can more easily manage the practical and emotional challenges that hearing loss brings. It works across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information, visit www.hearinglink.org/press-office.