My name is Alan Rafferty. I will be 67 when I run the Yorkshire Marathon on October 19th, 2025. This will be my 6th marathon, all run since I turned 60. I live in Hoddesdon, and have lived in Hertfordshire for over 40 years.

Wendy, my wife of 32 years, died of a rare form of cancer in September, 2023. For 17 months prior to this she was under the care of Isabel Hospice. Thanks to the hospice Wendy had a good quality of life until the end. Even when in such pain that they had to give her an extra dose of morphine to be able to do obs in her final days. Despite this Wendy had a jam session, singing with our Church band two days before she died. I have never run a marathon sponsored before, but wanted to show my appreciation to Isabel Hospice for the magnificent care they gave Wendy.

Hospices have been hit with the new National Insurance rises and desperately need more funds. The money will be used to give another person with a life-limiting condition the best quality of life they can have for whatever time they have left.