Hairdresser running ultramarathon for hospital charity

A WESTBURY woman will be running a 33-mile ultramarathon on Sunday to raise money for a Bristol hospital charity.

Suzann Large will be taking part in the fourth annual Imber Ultramarathon, which sets off from Leighton Recreation Centre in Westbury this Sunday. She will be raising money for Bristol’s Ronald McDonald House, which gives families free accommodation if their children have lengthy stays in hospital.

It will add to years of fundraising for the charity that Suzann has done with her friend and colleague, Karen Wilkin. The pair own The Hair Company salon on Maristow Street.

Suzann, who lives in Dilton Marsh, will run the race with friend and Westbury resident, Juliet Coulson.

“I have never run 33 miles before and my navigation isn’t great, but I’m excited for the race,” Suzann said. “I’ve been running for about five years and have done half marathon and marathon distances before, but this will be totally different.”

The race starts and ends in Westbury and follows a 33-mile route across Salisbury Plain. Suzann, 47, hopes to complete the course in under seven hours.

“I am raising money for Ronald McDonald House because Karen and I have been doing so for years,” she added.

“Karen’s daughter had a heart defect when she was born, so had to be kept in intensive care, and the family stayed at the house in Bristol.

“I think it’s a brilliant charity; having a child in hospital is stressful enough but having to worry about where to stay and the costs of travelling as well must make it even harder.

“We know that all the money we donate goes straight to the house, too. We’ve donated money in the past, then had an email telling us what they’ve spent it on, so we know it’s going to the people who need it.

“I’m not going to be racing round on the day – it’s about finishing rather than getting a good time. People told me the shorter runs were getting too easy for me, so I’m going to give this my absolute best shot!”

Suzann has so far raised £140; to donate to her fund go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Karen-Wilkin4 or visit the salon in Westbury town centre.