A BROMSGROVE florist has celebrated her 50th birthday by getting her stems moving in the London Marathon.
Vivien Bedford completed the 26.2-mile challenge in four hours and 40 minutes to raise money for The Children’s Society.
Vivien lost her father as a child and said she knew what it was like to face hardship as a youngster. Although she had support from friends and family she was aware many young people were not cared for as they should.
Having helped the cause for several years with annual Christingle services at Christ Church in Catshill, this year she decided to go further and, with the marathon falling on her 50th birthday, she decided to tick it off her bucket list.
“It was such an amazing and emotional experience.
“I met a woman called Maze on the starting line and we ran the entire route together – we exchanged numbers and I hope we can stay in touch.
“We kept each other going all the way.
“I knew that if I was ever going to run the London Marathon, I always wanted to run for a charity that really changes lives, and The Children’s Society does just that.”
She added the charity could only do its work if it was given the backing it needed so she hoped people would continue to sponsor her.
The Children’s Society’s head of events Stephanie Drummond said: “Vivien’s inspiring efforts and passion to help young people are humbling and we hope other people are motivated by them.
£Every mile relentlessly accomplished by our runners will have raised funds to help us continue our life-changing work with children who often have nowhere else to turn.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/Vivien-Bedford1 to sponsor Vivien.
