Heroes in Running Shoes: Going the Extra Mile for Guy’s Gift
Incredible Support for Guy’s Gift from Marathon Runners and Fundraisers
At Guy’s Gift, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity, compassion, and dedication of our supporters. Recently, three inspirational individuals laced up their running shoes to quite literally, go the extra mile.
Have a read of how they took on major challenges in memory of their loved ones and to raise vital funds for the work we do with bereaved children, young people, and families across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Marc Blake Runs the London Marathon in Memory of his Loved Ones
On 27th April 2025, Marc Blake completed the London Marathon, raising nearly £3,000 in support of Guy’s Gift. Marc ran in memory of his mother-in-law, Hilary, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. His run was also a tribute to Chris "Hucky", a much-loved friend and father who died three years ago, leaving behind her family, including Marc’s goddaughter.
“The void this left, along with the distress & upset to the family, was heart-breaking to witness,” Marc shared. “This is my effort to repay some of the amazing support Guy’s Gift offered.”
Marc Blake,
London Marathon 2025 Finisher
Marc’s cousin, Zoe, whose family was supported by Guy’s Gift after Chris sadly died, shared her experience:
"As a family, we lost someone special and in the midst of this grief, we had children that were left without a father and none of us knew how to handle this or what to do for the best. This is where Guy's Gift came in, reassuring us that we were not alone. They provided literature, counselling and group therapy, not only for the children but also for me."
To support Marc and read his moving story, visit his JustGiving page.
Justin Wood and Chris Peat Take on the Great Birmingham Run in memory of Leanne Wood
Just a week later, on 4th May 2025, Justin Wood and Chris Peat completed the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, raising over £2,000 for Guy’s Gift in memory of Leanne Wood — Justin’s beloved wife and the mother of his two children.
Their run was not only a powerful tribute to Leanne’s memory, but also a testament to their commitment to helping other families experiencing the devastation of grief.
Justin Wood & Chris Peat,
AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run 2025 Finishers
Chris shared this heartfelt message after the event:
“Thanks for your donations! Charity response – £2,200 is a huge amount of money to raise, and we are all deeply grateful. This not only helps so much financially but is a big boost for the counselling team, knowing someone will push themselves to help, putting value on what they do. This is enough money to completely fund a 5-week group programme for 15 bereaved young people, so really is a huge achievement and great contribution to the work of Guy’s Gift.”
To read their story and contribute to their fundraiser, visit Chris and Justin’s JustGiving page.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To Marc, Justin, and Chris — your courage, determination, and generosity mean the world to us. Your efforts will directly support bereaved children and young people across Coventry and Warwickshire, offering them guidance, care, and hope in their most difficult times.
We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to their campaigns. Your support helps keep our small local charity going — and allows us to continue providing one-to-one counselling, bereavement support groups, and guidance for schools, hospitals, and professionals working with grieving children.
Want to Fundraise for Guy’s Gift?
Feeling inspired? If you’d like to run, walk, cycle, host a quiz night — or get creative with your own fundraising idea — we’d love to hear from you! Every pound raised helps us reach more families in need.
📧 Get in touch at: fundraising@guysgift.co.uk
Together, we can ensure that no child faces grief alone.