Jane Shorting, a mother from Cheltenham, is preparing for an extraordinary running feat to honour her late best friend, Leigh Lawson. Over four days, Jane will cover more than 125 miles, starting with the TCS London Marathon on April 26 and then running 100 miles back to Cheltenham, finishing at the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Leigh, who passed away last year from triple negative breast cancer at age 58, was a devoted wife and mother to 15-year-old triplet daughters. Jane first ran the 2025 London Marathon shortly after Leigh’s admission to the hospice, even running dressed as Buzz Lightyear and connecting with Leigh via FaceTime during the race. This year, Jane is running again, raising funds for Sue Ryder—the charity that provided comfort and compassionate care to Leigh during her final days.
Jane’s marathon will be followed by a grueling 100-mile journey home on foot. She and her husband Mark, 62, will tackle approximately 34 miles per day, supported along the way by friends and family. The run will culminate at the hospice where Leigh received care, a promise Jane made to her friend before she passed.
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Reflecting on her friendship with Leigh, Jane said, “She was a force of nature—kind, funny, fiercely supportive, and someone who made everyone feel welcome. The hospice team made her feel safe and comfortable, and their support was invaluable to her family.”
Mark shares a personal connection to Sue Ryder, as his brother and mother also received care from the charity. “Sue Ryder has been part of our lives for years. The compassion shown during difficult times was priceless,” he said.
The pair aim to raise £100,000 this year for Sue Ryder and have already amassed over £200,000 in previous efforts. Local schools and Leigh’s daughters are expected to join Jane for the final stretch, symbolizing the strong community support.
Jane looks forward to the London Marathon but acknowledges it will be an emotional experience. “Running through London with the crowds cheering will be incredible, but I’ll be thinking of Leigh every step of the way.”
Building on this challenge, Jane plans to run the Chicago and Berlin Marathons in 2026, continuing her fundraising for Sue Ryder. “Cheltenham loves Sue Ryder,” she says. “The hospice is the jewel of the town, and this is all for Leigh.”