A marathon effort in Josie’s memory

Jan 29 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

INSPIRED by one of the most moving stories ever to feature in The Journal, chief reporter Paul James is in training to run 26 miles for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Our readers signed up in their droves to support the Josie Grove Appeal last year, after we told how the teenager had given up her leukaemia treatment to spend her final months with her family.

We helped raise thousands for the Josie fund, and also helped to sign up dozens of new donors to the Anthony Nolan Trust’s bone marrow register.

Now Paul, 29, who was heavily involved with our stories about Josie and the ANT, has signed up with his wife Emily to run the London Marathon in Josie’s memory.

The couple aim to raise £3,000 between them for the trust, and yesterday their fundraising passed the £500 mark.

Josie, 16, from Corbridge, Northumberland, lost her two-year battle with the condition in February last year, months after she made her brave decision to forego any further treatment.

After telling Josie’s story, The Journal threw its weight behind the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund, which recently passed the £125,000 mark, and staged one of a series of bone marrow donor registration events across the North-East for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Josie had two failed bone marrow transplants, but her family believe they still succeeded in giving them an extra two years with her. The procedure takes minimal effort from donors, but can be a life-changing one for those in need.

Paul and Emily have completed several Great North Runs, but the marathon in April will be the first time that either has run further than the 13 miles from the Central Motorway to South Shields.

At the weekend they braved the strong winds to run 12 miles from their home in Palmersville, North Tyneside, to Jesmond and back, and are confident they will be able to train up to marathon distance. Yesterday Paul, a former pupil at the Duchess’s High School in Alnwick, Northumberland, said: “It was Emily who had her heart set on running a marathon, and I really didn’t want her to be out training in the dark winter nights so begrudgingly agreed to join her.

“But then we realised that we had a real opportunity to do our bit for charity and the Anthony Nolan Trust were the obvious choice.

“The team there were good enough to find us places and, having spoken to their staff in the North-East on many occasions, I know how committed they are.

“Josie’s story had such an effect on everyone at The Journal. I can’t remember any of our campaigns creating that strength of feeling among our readers and all the staff here were devastated when she died.

“We just want to do something, however small, to help give other children like Josie the gift of life.”

Emily, 28, a communications manager, added: “It’s a massive challenge for us but I’m confident I can get Paul round the 26 miles.

“Finding the motivation to train in the evenings and at weekends is probably the most difficult part, but knowing we’re running for such a good cause is more than enough to get us out.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Paul and Emily can do so at www.justgiving.com/pjandemily or write to Paul at The Journal, Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED.