Simon's marathon effort delights residents at Hadleigh Nursing Home

Simon Skinner raised more than £10,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK by running the London Marathon in honour of his father John, a resident at Hadleigh Nursing Home.

Residents and staff at the Kingsley Healthcare home in Friars Road, Hadleigh, watched the race on television and Mr Skinner’s father, a former design teacher at Stowmarket High School, declared he was “very proud” of his son.

Mr Skinner, 48, an engineering director from Nottingham, crossed the finish line in 3 hours 40 minutes.

He said: “The support through donations has been absolutely unbelievable, helped in no small part by the East Anglian Daily Times coverage before the race.”

As well as generous donations from his family, friends and professional network, contributions had come from his father’s teaching colleagues and former students.

He said: “The response to the run has been remarkable. One message came from a former pupil of my dad’s. She explained how he had shaped her life, encouraging her to work hard, and seeing something in her when few others did. She said that without his intervention, she would not be the person or parent she is today.
 
“I had never known this story, but learning about the impact he had on others over those 26.2 miles meant far more to me than I could have imagined.”
 
He said his dad’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis 10 years ago had gradually opened his eyes to what dementia can do, not just to an individual but to an entire family. 
 
“I’m deeply grateful for the safe, supportive home the staff of Hadleigh Nursing Home have given him,” he said.
 
His father, who is 77, moved into Hadleigh Nursing Home two years ago from his home in Stowupland..  
Home manager Tracey Brown said: “We want to congratulate Simon for his wonderful effort. Everyone loved watching the race on television alongside his dad, John.”