A Chester teacher is planning to run the London Marathon in memory of Chloe Farrell to thank Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith for all the support we have given her family and friends.

As Nicola Jackson crosses the finish line on April 28^th she will be thinking of her best friend Chloe and the way she encouraged her during her training for her first Half Marathon in Chester back in 2017.

“I’d started running the year before and only managed 0.8 of a mile my first time out so I made it a goal to run the Chester Half,” recalls Nicola.

“On the day of Chloe’s accident she had texted me to ‘practise walking, but make it look like you are running!’ It was the last thing she said to me.

“If she hadn’t given me that great advice I probably would have pulled out. The Chester Half was shortly after her accident and it was trying to keep running that gave me something to do during a completely helpless time.”

Chloe’s death in a tragic tractor accident left her family and friends shocked and devastated. Chloe was taken to our Snowflake Suite at Tŷ Gobaith, a special private space with a beautiful garden where her loved ones could say goodbye in their own time and in their own way over several days.

“Tŷ Gobaith really reached out to offer support to Chloe’s family and friends and we can’t thank you enough,” says Nicola.

“Together with Chloe, I have supported Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith for many years, but I never realised until then that the hospices could also help families of children and young people who died right up to the age of 25 years.”

Nicola will also be wearing her special angel wing bracelet as she pounds the streets of London. She bought one for Chloe too and it is her way of having a little bit of her friend always with her.

“She has left a giant Chloe shaped hole in my life and I miss her so much – she would always text you good luck, or call in to see how you were if you were having a bad time,” adds Nicola.

“Chloe would have more belief in me finishing a Marathon than I do! She would have been there cheering from the side line and waiting at the finish line with a great big piece of chocolate cake!”

Hope House Fundraiser Nic Sciarrillo said she was thrilled to have secured a place in the VIP start for Nicola amongst all the celebrity runners!

“Nicola’s passion for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith and her special friendship with Chloe will get her through every one of those 26.2miles and we’ll all be cheering her on,” she added.

If you would like to sponsor Nicola and support her London Marathon please go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NicolaJackson33.