Becky, a Paralegal at Penningtons Manches Cooper, set up the Nathan Christopher Foundation after her brother Nathan became a wheelchair user following multiple blood clots on the brain and a subsequent stroke.
“There are many unforeseen costs associated with being unexpectedly disabled, and Nathan didn’t know where to go for help with costs for the kind of wheelchair that would allow him to be independent or for adapting his home,” says Becky. Since setting up the charity six years ago, Becky has been able to help her brother to get things like a hand cycle bike attachment, which allows Nathan access to a greater choice of places (and surfaces) that his everyday wheelchair would not be able to cope with. The aim now is to help more people.
“These are things you don’t plan for and there are big costs involved,” explains Becky.
This obviously means raising funds, which is where Sarah comes in. Her aim is to raise £2000.
“I only have the vaguest sense of the pressure and challenges that Becky and Nathan have gone through, but it’s enough to make me want to offer them support in this way," she says.
It’s also a personal challenge for her. “I’ve run a few marathons before but not since I became a mum,” she says. She doesn’t have a particular time in mind but is taking the training very seriously, even running 10 miles on New Year’s Day. When she ran her previous marathons (Chester, Brighton and Amsterdam) she didn’t have a three and a half year old wanting to join in the training. As a busy working mum Sarah is fitting in the training by running to and from work (six miles in total, but she’s taking longer routes to add to this) as well as going out at lunchtimes and Sunday mornings.
Becky is excited about what the charity will be able to do with the money raised. “The next step is to actively find other people who would benefit from grants, so other families know there are options available.” she says.
To sponsor Sarah’s run visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TeamCoatesHolland
For more information on The Nathan Christopher Foundation, please visit thencf.net