Louise Cox is undertaking the challenge of completing the Virgin Money
London Marathon on the 22nd April 2018 in memory of her friend and
colleague Paramedic Kathryn Osmond who passed away on her 41st birthday after a brave battle with cancer (on 18th April 2017).

Louise felt inspired to take on this particular fundraising challenge as she ran the London Marathon in 2007 with Kathryn.
Ten years later Kath faced the most unrelenting and hideous adversary that even her most amazing determination, courage and resolve could not overcome; Malignant Melanoma. During the last year of her life Kath opened up to her friends and family, and subsequently the wider press, sharing her experience of fighting cancer.

Kath achieved amazing things with her fundraising towards xperimental
treatment which could not be funded by the NHS and was passionate about sharing education about prevention and early detection of cancer
(#runningman4Kath). Louise was one of the Paramedics who danced by Clifton Suspension Bridge in the Runningman4Kath video which went viral and set off fundraising activities amongst Emergency Services and medical personnel to raise the £70,000 needed for her treatment.

Kath was posthumously named as one of the regions 100 Great Westeners, recognised by voters for her work as a Paramedic and patient safety manager within the ambulance service and her role in promoting awareness of early detection of Malignant Melanoma and research into finding what she referred to as ‘the magic bullet’ or a cure for the disease.
During the final stages of Kath’s treatment, the Rowcroft Hospice provided comfort, support and specialist services both at home and at the hospice inTorquay. They enabled her family and friends to share precious and joyful moments in an environment that helped to make the most of time together.

Kath was determined that her friends, family and colleagues should maintain the momentum achieved with the fundraising started with the
#runningman4Kath, and use every opportunity to help others and learn from her experiences.

Louise a Critical Care Paramedic for South Western Ambulance Service hopes to raise £5000 for Hospice UK as she shows gratitude for their care and support, and provide for others in Kaths memory.
Donations of sponsorship can be made at www.virginmoneygiving.com/LouiseCox9

Every year in the UK, hospices provide vital care to 200,000 people with terminal or life-limiting illnesses, as well as providing support for many of their loved ones. From managing someone's pain, to looking after their emotional, spiritual and social needs, hospice care supports the whole person, helping them to live their life to the full. Hospice care is free for everyone, and is provided for however long it is needed, which could be days, weeks or even months.

‘Completing the marathon is a huge personal challenge. I would usually go for a jog, maybe up to 5km and kept a reasonable level of fitness with this and cycling the couple of miles on my commute to work. Distance running is something I have not trained for since completing the Bath Half in 2012. I am following a training plan and increasing the distance towards the huge challenge of the 26.2 miles, juggling the training with work and family commitments. My aim is to complete the race and get my medal, not a specific time, from my recollections of 2007 running with Kath it is an amazing experience, and it will be an emotional one doing it in her memory.’

‘Eleven years since I first (and last) ran the marathon with Kathryn,
this #runningwoman will need your help to make the most of this opportunity to raise money to ensure everyone has access to hospice care and support when they or their loved ones need it.’