An ultra marathon athlete worked a bit of magic to keep the ME Association in the running at the Brighton Half Marathon earlier this month.
When an injury to her foot meant that Jessica Meeker had to pull out of the race a few months ago, she didn't want to let down her great friend Ginny Clarke – who had to quit as one of the city's top yoga teachers when she became severely ill with ME a couple of years ago. So she asked novice runner Nicola Henderson to take her place in the race instead. And Nikki said ‘yes'.
Jessica and her 10-year-old Portuguese rescue dog ‘Buddy’ had to be content with watching the 10,000 competitors from the sidelines on 2nd March.
Yoga teacher Ginny, who recruited Jess to run in the Brighton Half for us last year after we had advertised that we had charity places in the race, told us at the time: “I am incredibly proud and grateful that my amazing friend Jess is running the Brighton Half on my behalf.
“This disease has severely impacted my health and quality of life, and it devastates the lives of millions of others worldwide. There is currently no treatment or cure.
“I am very grateful for her dedication and I hope her efforts will bring us one step closer to better understanding and support for everyone living with ME/CFS.”
Mother-of-three Nikki, who took part in her first half marathon only last year, took over Jessica’s fundraising page. She ran the distance in 2:15:05.
Between them, Jess and Nikki have so far raised £1,020 for the ME Association, with 43 supporters chipping in to support the charity.
Photos show: Jessica Meeker and her great friend, yoga teacher Ginny Clarke, at a friend's wedding some years ago; at the water's edge – Jessica, out training for one of her ultra marathons; the picture on Jessica's online fundraising page: Jessica, with her daughter and 10-year-old Portuguese rescue dog ‘Buddy'; Nikki Henderson, who stepped in when Jessica had to pull out of the race due to a foot injury.
Jess said: “Unfortunately, I over-trained and found myself with a foot injury, which means that I’ll be out of action for between eight months and a year. My own fault really but I was delighted when Nikki agreed to enter the race so we could keep raising money for the ME Association.
‘”The common thing among all the supporters who donated to the ME Association was our love and affection for Ginny. This felt like one way we could show our support for her. “
The Brighton Half took place along a new route this year, starting and finishing at Hove Lawns near the beach huts, going into Brighton along the seafront with a side swipe to the Royal Pavilion. The event was started by comedian Joe Wilkinson, best known for his wacky appearances on C4’s ‘Eight out of 10 Cats does Countdown’.
If you would like to support our runners in the Brighton Half, please visit the Just Giving page below
Nikki, Jess and Ginny for The MEA
Fundraising for ME Association
The new route for this year's Brighton Half Marathon.
Tony Britton
Senior Fundraising Volunteer, The ME Association
tony.britton@meassociation.org.uk Mob: 07393 805566
