Hairdresser Suzann Large has raised more than £1,800 for a charity that supports the parents of seriously ill children, by completing the Bath half marathon.
Suzann, who jointly runs the Hair Company salon on Maristow Street, pledged to raise £1,500 for Ronald McDonald House after her business partner Karen Wilkin stayed there for two weeks.
The Ronald McDonald House in Bristol provides free accommodation for families whose children have to stay in the children’s hospital, saving them from either commuting from home or staying in a hotel.
When Karen’s daughter Grace was born 18 months ago she needed a heart operation at just one day old, and spent two weeks in intensive care.
Suzann was so touched by the service that the house offers that she pledged to raise funds for the cause by completing her first half marathon. On Sunday 7th March she finished the course in one hour 54 minutes, and broke her fundraising target by £300.
Suzann said, “I’m really pleased with my time, I’m really proud.
“The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was amazing. There was a crowd of thousands of people clapping and cheering. I saw lots of family and friends and some clients who were clapping and cheering me on.
“I’m really pleased. I thought £1,500 was ambitious, especially with the way things are financially at the moment, but everyone has been great. I think all our clients have sponsored me. So many people read about it in the White Horse News and we’ve even had complete strangers coming into the salon to give money. One old man came in here with £20, it’s been just fantastic.
“It couldn’t have work-ed out better. I want to thank everyone for their support, their donations and their running tips, and thanks to Penny for sponsoring me for a sports bra! It’s a really worthwhile cause.”
The Ronald McDonald House is located near Bristol Children’s Hospital and has 16 bedrooms, three fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities. There are also phones in each bedroom that can be connected to a child’s bedside phone, allowing parents to regularly check up on the condition of their children.
The house is partly sponsored by McDonalds, which raises money with on-the-counter donation boxes, but relies on charitable donations for the rest of its funds.
Karen, who describes the house as a “God send”, said, “I’m really proud of Suzann and the total she raised. We were there on the day to give her our support. I want to take the money over to the Ronald McDonald House and take Grace so they can see her, because they haven’t ever met her.”
Pictured L-R: Nikki Gray, Suzann Large, Grace Wilkin, Karen Wilkin and Leah Roy at Hair Company.
