“Most people at 52 are thinking about slowing down a bit… but not Kevin,” Rachel Wimbles said, with husband Kevin Wimbles now preparing to take on his first marathon in support of Pendleside Hospice.
Kevin, from Nelson will run the Manchester Marathon 2026 on Sunday, April 19, turning a personal challenge into a fundraising effort for a cause close to the family’s heart.
The 52-year-old decided to take on the marathon not only to push himself, but to give something back to the hospice, which has supported his family and friends over the years.
The couple say they have seen first-hand the care and compassion offered, not just to patients but to entire families during the most difficult times.
Rachel, who runs Betty-Rose Beauty Boutique in Nelson, has previously supported the hospice through hiking challenges and bike rides.
However, after an accident left her unable to take part in physical events, Kevin stepped in to continue that support on her behalf.
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Training has not been easy, particularly starting from scratch, but Kevin has remained focused on the reason behind the challenge.
He said: “I’m not a marathon runner, but after going through a personal battle of my own, I started going to the gym just to try and piece myself back together again.
"At first, it was just about getting through the day, finding a bit of strength where I could.
"That slowly turned into running 5k, then 10k races, then some Tough Mudder events, but even then, a full marathon felt completely out of reach.
“I never imagined I’d be taking something like this on, especially at 52, but life has a way of changing you.
"When you’ve been through difficult times, and when you’ve seen the kind of care and compassion the hospice gives to families at their most vulnerable, it puts everything into perspective.
“This isn’t just about running a race for me anymore. It’s about giving something back, about turning something painful into something positive, and about doing something Rachel would have been right there doing herself if she could.”
Every penny raised will go towards supporting Pendleside Hospice and the vital services it continues to provide across the local community.
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