Ascend’s Stuart to Run London Marathon for Havens Hospices

Stuart Belbin, Senior Account Executive at Ascend, will be running this year’s London Marathon in aid of Havens Hospices, one of Ascend’s Charities of the Year.

Havens Hospices, in Essex, provide free specialist care and support for people of all ages who are living with incurable conditions, and their families. From their hospices for both adults and children, to the community care they provide, Havens go above and beyond to make every day count.

Ascend Broking Group nominated Havens Hospices as one of its Charities of the Year and Stuart has been inspired by Havens’ mission to improve quality of life and well-being for its families and the local community. He’ll be putting on his running shoes and taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday the 21st April 2024 to raise much needed donations for this amazing charity.

Here, Stuart talks about this year’s marathon adventure for Havens Hospices:

1. Why did you decide to enter the London Marathon and to raise money for Havens Hospices?

I've always been one for a big challenge, from cycling round Tasmania with a tent and all my travelling equipment on my back, to cycling from London to Paris, to playing in three 24-hour football matches. I decided it was time to put myself forward to run the London Marathon to raise much-needed donations for Havens Hospices, which is such a worthy cause.

Running the London Marathon has always been on my bucket list. It’s mentally challenging not just to run the marathon, but to take on all the training that goes into it, as well. The long runs in the rain with nothing spurring you on is where you can really deal with your demons, and my training runs have proved a great way of mentally checking out from everything else going on around me!

As the head of Ascend’s charity division, I decided to run on behalf of Havens Hospice and what they stand for: helping families make more special memories in the time they have together by providing the best possible palliative and supportive care, free from fear and barriers, where the patient and those important to them are always put first.

This year it will cost £50,519 to provide one week of care at Fair Havens or Little Havens, so donations are crucial to the charity.

2. How are you training for the marathon? What’s your routine?

My training has been hit and miss following a knee injury. I now run four times a week, with shorter runs on weekdays and a long run at the weekend. Last week I ran a half marathon.

3. What time are you aiming to complete the marathon in and what will be your strategy?

I’m hoping to run the marathon in 4 hours 30 minutes! I’m going to rely on lots of carb loading, energy gels, water and, of course, help from the famous London marathon crowd!

4. Are you going to wear a costume?

No costume for me! I’ll be proudly wearing the bright fluorescent yellow Havens Hospice t-shirt!

5. Which part of the route are you looking forward to running the most?

All the major landmarks will be good! I’m especially looking forward to running on Tower Bridge and running past Buckingham Palace and the Cutty Sark.

6. Will anyone from Ascend be coming to London to support you?

I’m hoping a number of the team will come down to soak in the atmosphere and see me over the finish line!

7. How much money do you hope to raise?

My charity pledge is £1,750, but I’d like to reach £2000!

8. How can someone sponsor you?

You can support me by donating on my JustGiving page - please click the link here.

I hope as many people as possible join me in supporting Havens Hospices by donating whatever they can – every penny really does count!

Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact one of our team.

Stuart.Belbin@ascendbroking.co.uk | Office: 01245 449060