An Ipswich woman ran the London Marathon to say a heartfelt "thank you" to the hospital that performed life-saving surgeries on both her mum and dad.
Lauren Whiting raised an incredible £11,701 for the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust when she took part in her first London Marathon on Sunday.
The 24-year-old said her motivation was wanting to raise money to thank the hospital that has performed life-saving surgeries on both her parents.
In 2018, her mum Sue, 56, suffered an aneurysm and was rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where surgeons performed a lifesaving procedure.
She spent some days in a coma, before moving to Ipswich Hospital and was discharged home just before Christmas.
Miss Whiting said that while her mum had a 10% chance of recovering, she is almost completely recovered.
After signing up for the marathon, Miss Whiting's dad Guy, 60, suffered a seizure in 2023 while walking the dog. A tumour was then discovered.
Addenbrooke's again successfully operated on the brain tumour in December, but unfortunately the dad-of-two was found, after testing, to have stage four brain cancer.
He is currently under the care of Ipswich Hospital, undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Miss Whiting, who is currently training to become an educational psychologist, studying for a doctorate at the University of East Anglia, trained five times a week for four months in preparation for the marathon.
She completed the marathon in 4 hours and 50 minutes.
She said: "Running a marathon was emotional, but in the best way possible.
"I am not sure you can ever say thank you, but the motivation was a thank you to Addenbrooke's.
"They have been amazing. They scooped us up at a time when we never thought we'd need them. We never appreciated the hospital until we had a significant encounter with them.
"We have learned to cope, and our perspective has completely changed. We take each day as a blessing rather than a given.
"I would say that if anyone is considering it, just go for it. Don't underestimate it, but go for it."
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