Sisters run emotional extra mile for their father and Crossroads Care ahead of London Marathon

Sisters Joanna and Ella Tilley ran the Old Deer Parkrun last weekend as part of their training for the London Marathon, which they're running in aid of Crossroads Care and in memory of their father, Clive.

The event was especially poignant for the sisters as Clive, who sadly lost his life to pulmonary fibrosis a year ago, was the Director of Old Deer Parkrun, a passionate runner, and the person who inspired their love of running. He also ran the London Marathon in 2008.

Crossroads Care supported Joanna and Ella's family during Clive’s final weeks, so this fundraising challenge is particularly close to their hearts. In his memory, the sisters were joined by several other local runners to mark the occasion and run an extra mile at the end of the course.

Joanna said: "Old Deer Parkrun is such a special parkrun to us and to Dad, and running an extra mile there really meant a lot - it was a lovely way to remember Dad."

Crossroads Care's Fiona Mitchell, who attended the event, added: "This was such a wonderful event and we were so lucky that the sun was shining. Thank you to Joanna and Ella and to the Old Deer Park Run organisers as well as to all the runners and those who have kindly donated to the girls’ marathon mission so far."

If you would also like to sponsor the sisters ahead of their London Marathon run, please visit their London Marathon website.

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