A woman has raised over £4500 for a Suffolk Hospice in memory of her friend
Abbi who works at Suffolk Hospital is fundraising for St. Elizabeth's Hospice after her friend died from a rare form of cancer
A woman from Suffolk is running the London Marathon this weekend in memory of her friend who died from a rare form of cancer in February 2022.
The money will go to St Elizabeths Hospice.
"There are no words to describe how hard it was at the time."
Abbi Mckenzie recalls how her friend Henry was only sick for a few weeks but that his "attitude the whole way through was amazing" and he was "adamant that he was going to fight."
She described it as "surreal" and couldn't understand how this could be happening.
She told us his positive attitude helped all those around him as they tried to process what was going on.
Unfortunately, due to a rare cancerous tumour, he passed away.
Abbi told us the Hospice supported Henry, his wife, his little boy, who turned 3 a few weeks after his fathers passing and other family at that stage during and then after.
Since then Abbi and others have been raising money and awareness in his name with a current amount of £4500.
We asked Abbi what Henry would think of her taking on the London Marathon.
"He would think I'm an idiot. He'd think I'm an absolute idiot...He would be immensely proud, he was always the proudest friend."
Abbi's training has been impacted by some health issues.
She started teaining in September 2023, but has been cautious as back in 2019, she was taking part in a half marathon but for unknown reasons collapsed at mile 10, not only this but she is also coping with a hip flexor injury.
As a result "it's not the marathon" she thought it would be.
She did have the option to defer until next year, but chose not to as "it wouldn't feel right" as "Henry didn't have a choice in his fight."
She is making sure she is running at a suitable pace, has lots of water on her and gels.
She went on to say that the worst case scenario for her, is if she has to walk the majority but she would still be "immensely proud" of what she's achieved as it "is still the London Marathon, and it's still in Henry's name."
She plans to have a pint and a good meal once the race is over.