THIS Saturday, marathon runner Laura Graham will take on what will be the most emotional run of her life. Laura is famous for having taken up marathon running in her 30s and becoming the first local winner of the Belfast Marathon since Barbara Brewer in 1999, but this run on Saturday has greater significance to the Kilkeel woman.
For the past months Laura has been raising money for the Willow Bereavement Suite at Daisy Hill, the suite which provided Laura and her husband Thomas with support when their son Luca was stillborn in February of this year. “It still feels very raw, everything about what’s happened, but we want Luca’s legacy to run on as he will always have a place in all our hearts!” Laura said. “People’s support has been second to none, I don’t know how we will ever thank family and friends for all the well wishes, and the good lucks.” Thirty-seven-year-old Laura will run from her home in Kilkeel, through the Mourne Mountains to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry and back again, which is 40 miles in total.
Laura said: “I want to raise funds for the Willow Bereavement Suite in Daisy Hill Hospital as it is very close to our hearts and they were there for us when our world was turned upside down. “It will be my longest run of my life to date but one I want to do in memory of Luca who is, and always will be, a big part of our lives. “Not only will it be my longest run to date, but my husband Thomas will be on his bike for the whole journey. He hasn’t been on the bike since the 20- mile training runs a couple of years ago now. It’s very much both our journeys and Thomas has been the backbone of it all. “We would love to raise as many funds as we can for the Willow ward as every penny helps!” They began by setting a target of £500 but have so far raised over £10,000 and the figure is rising. Laura said she has been stunned by the support. “I cannot believe the amount online, it’s just truly amazing how generous people are and we really and truly appreciate it all! The funds will go towards helping others in similar devastating traumas.”
The couple will be joined by friends and family during their charity challenge, all of whom are eager to come out and support them. Laura said: “This is truly amazing and our other four kids and family members are joining in the last mile. They are also doing a street collection on Saturday morning to do their bit!” Laura is well known to people in the area for her marathon running prowess. She won the Belfast Marathon in 2017. What was also so exceptional about that run was Laura had completed the London Marathon a week previously. And Laura had only started running marathons in the previous year. She is running for the Willow Bereavement Suite, which was founded in 2018. The suite offers a private space for grieving parents and a team of sisters and midwives are on hand to offer practical and emotional support during a devastating time.
Laura said: “Some of the staff do know we are going to do it next Saturday and I think there may be a few who will come out and cheer us on!” Laura’s run begins on Saturday, and she and Thomas will travel the first six miles together alone, just so they can get accustomed to it. “We just want the two of us to get our heads round it and to prepare us for an emotional journey, one that means a lot for our wee man Luca! “Then at different stages other runners/bikes may join. Our kids are joining us on the last mile to finish it with us, along with family members.” Laura says that in the future she hopes to compete in marathons again. She still is part of the Mourne Runners but is only really getting back into running after the experience of losing Luca. “I have only really started back running just before I decided to do this run but it helps and it’s helped us to focus on knowing why we are doing this. Although it has totally devastated us as a family, we want to do this for Luca and Payten, Jaydon, Layla and Darcy as our family are our world and we want to try help others who may face similar journeys. “In a world that’s cruel we need to be kind.”