Fundraisers take on The London Landmarks Half Marathon
From The London Eye to Big Ben, the London Landmarks Half Marathon was a scenic sprint for Paul Farrow and Jodie Gibbs-Farrow on Sunday 7th April.
Ditching an open-top bus tour, Paul and Jodie laced up their shoes and ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon. The couple chose to fundraise for Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), with friends and family donating nearly £600 to the charity.
Paul was born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate in 1977. For this reason, he was inspired to fundraise for the charity. “CLAPA is awesome. To have such a vibrant community […] across the UK is amazing. The work they do is brilliant, inspiring and humbling.”
“But CLAPA need money to keep doing the work they do. So Jodie and I running the London Landmarks Half Marathon was a small way of saying thank you. Hopefully it will inspire more people to raise money too,” he continued.
Paul’s Story
“In 1977, I was born with a cleft lip and palate. At this time, it was still a very much unknown birth defect, and support for parents was extremely limited.”
“My mum encountered many challenges in the early days and months of my arrival. For example, midwives and health visitors told her my difficulties in feeding were her fault.”
“Being a child with a cleft was a challenge, as people can be cruel. I can only imagine how much harder it is now with the positive and negative impact of social media.”
“Being a child with a cleft was a challenge, as people can be cruel. I can only imagine how much harder it is now with the positive and negative impact of social media.”
“To many, a cleft is a small thing from the outside looking in. But it’s the only thing I see when I look in the mirror.”
Adding to this, Paul’s wife Jodie said, “I met Paul around 14 years ago but I didn’t ever see his cleft lip, I still don’t now, but I know he sees it every day.”
Many children and adults born with a cleft lip and/or palate may struggle with concerns related to their appearance. Paul commented: “As I’ve got older, I’ve spent a long time reconciling my feelings about having a cleft lip and palate.”
“I’ve realised the differences in people are what make us all unique.”
“I’ve realised the differences in people are what make us all unique.”
“Through my work, I’ve been able to give myself the tools to not only help with my own mental resilience, but pay it forward.”
“Jodie and I run our own organization, Y+ Youth Services CIC. We work with children and young people with special education needs and disabilities.”
Paul was inspired to pick up his running shoes to improve his mental health: “I started running when my mental health hit an all-time low when I was in my 30’s. I think sticking a pair of trainers on and pounding the pavement for an hour or so saved my life.”
He added: “Running is great therapy for me. It’s the time I can listen to music, take in the world around me, and hopefully keep myself fit.”
But it was Jodie who signed the couple up for the half marathon. “She has a habit of saying yes to everything and then works out the details, like running 13 miles, later.”
After taking time off to recover, Paul is keen to set a new challenge. “I’m tempted by a marathon towards the end of the year. Maybe another half marathon before then, but we’ll see”.
Thank you, Paul and Jodie!
Thank you to Paul and Jodie for raising £585.50 (including Gift Aid) for CLAPA.
If you are interested in challenging yourself this year by running, cycling, or walking, we have a variety of events to inspire you.
