Newtown Father to Run London Marathon in Tribute to Late Son
A devoted father from Newtown is lacing up his running shoes to participate in the London Marathon, dedicating his efforts to raising funds for Hope House Children's Hospices in memory of his beloved son, Ronnie. Lewis Jones, pictured above, has become part of a dedicated team of 20 runners representing the hospice, all set to take on the iconic race on April 26 with the goal of maximizing donations for this vital cause.
Honoring Ronnie's Legacy
Ronnie Jones was born with complex medical needs and received compassionate care at Hope House until his passing at just 15 months old in November 2021. Over the past few years, Lewis, along with Ronnie's mother Alice, has successfully raised more than £30,000 through various initiatives, including annual festivals and community events. Now, Lewis is pushing himself through rigorous training to continue this fundraising momentum into 2026.
"We've been raising money for Hope House in a few ways, from holding our yearly festivals and other events," Lewis explained. "I'm glad I can do something that is a bit of a challenge to keep raising more money for a charity that has meant so much for us as a family. I know Ronnie will help me cross that line."
Hospice Carer Joins the Effort
Lewis will not be alone in his marathon endeavor; he will be accompanied by Hope House carer Ian Greaves, who is trading his scrubs for trainers to support the fundraising campaign. Ian, who has firsthand experience of the hospice's critical care for children and families, expressed his honor in contributing to ensure the continuity of these essential services.
"I know how vital first-hand our care is for children and families, and I am honoured to be able to raise money to make sure we can keep delivering it," said Ian. At Hope House, children with life-threatening conditions receive one-on-one respite care from a team of professional nurses and carers, like Ian, who are dedicated to providing comfort and support.
Training and Determination
Ian has been diligently preparing for the marathon, having already reached an impressive 19 miles in his training regimen. Despite feeling nervous about the event, he shared his excitement and pride in representing the hospice.
"I'll admit, I'm very nervous about getting there and waiting around for the start. But since I started running a little while back, I always had an ambition to run in the London Marathon. I honestly never thought I'd get the chance to or physically be able to — now I have both and I'm sure it's going to be amazing," he remarked. "I'm just so proud to be out there wearing Hope House colours and raising money."
Charity Support and Community Cheers
Bekki Fardoe, from the charity's fundraising team, highlighted the immense effort put in by all participants and the importance of their contributions. "We'll all be cheering on our team of amazing runners on from Tower Bridge. Everyone who is running the London Marathon has put so much effort, not only into training, but also into raising as much money as possible, and we are so grateful to everyone," she said.
"Without this fundraising we could not be here for local children with life-threatening conditions that need us. I'd like to wish all our runners a huge, good luck. You can do it!"
For those interested in supporting Lewis, Ian, or learning more about the other runners participating in the London Marathon for Hope House Children's Hospices, further information is available through the charity's dedicated page.
