A wounded veteran’s daughter is running the London Marathon to support the charity that helped her father in his hour of need…
Clare Phillips, 43, from Plymouth, is taking on the 26.2 mile challenge in aid of Military Charity, Blesma, the Limbless Veterans because of the help they gave her father and former Soldier Tom Gowar, when he lost his leg.
Tom, now 77, was involved in a car accident in 2006 which resulted in the amputation of his right leg in 2010.
“Blesma helped massively when my dad lost his leg and a support officer spent a lot of time with him,” said Clare. “In 2011 he attended one of their rehabilitation activities and it gave him back his sparkle. The knock on effect is that it helped us too as a family.”
This will be Clare’s second marathon; however, it will be a special run for Clare as it could be the last Marathon her father is well enough to meet her at the finish line.
“When my mum passed away a few years ago, Blesma were there and enabled him to do things. Running is in my blood from my dad. I’m looking forward to seeing him and the rest of my family once I’ve finished.”
Schoolteacher Clare has been training with her colleague John Stephens, the Headmaster of Goosewell Primary School, who is also running the Marathon.
To support Clare, please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Clare-Phillips-Blesma
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.