Pictured: Bruce Ralston
Bruce Ralston, partner at Birmingham law firm, Beachcroft LLP,
braved the elements at the Loch Ness Marathon to raise £2,000
for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham's (QEHB) cancer
appeal.
Bruce took on the challenge to show his gratitude to the
hospital that had cared for his wife when she was very ill,
suffering from a rare form of bowel cancer.
"Following the amazing treatment that my wife received, I was
keen to give something back to the hospital," explained Bruce. "So
it seemed the obvious choice to help them to raise money for a new
CyberKnife machine to help all cancer patients.
"I had done the London Marathon nearly ten years ago and said
'never again' but the cause was just enough to pull me out of
retirement!
"My original target was to raise £1,000 but this was soon
exceeded following people's overwhelming donations - I've been
really touched by everyone's generosity.
"The race began early in the morning with mist and rain which
soon descended into torrential hailstones so I was soaked after the
first five miles! However, once the sun came out and the clouds
started to lift to reveal the mountains and the breathtaking
scenery, it all became worthwhile.
"I hit the wall after 20 miles or so, and no amount of Highland
fudge offered by generous locals was going to make me feel better.
The last hour was a really hard slog but the first pint in the bar
once I crossed the finish line soon sorted that out."
The annual marathon starts at Fort Augustus at the foot of Loch
Ness in the Highlands. It follows the loch's eastern shore,
culminating in the centre of Inverness.
The QEHB cancer appeal is fundraising to provide some of the
world's most advanced cancer treatment machines that will help
treat many more cancer patients and make the hospital one of the
leading hospitals in the world for cancer treatment and trials.
Anyone wishing to support Bruce in his fundraising can do so at
www.justgiving.com/James-Ralston or for more information about the
QEHB charity, please visit www.qehb.org.