A PROUD military veteran and NHS nurse from Coventry is setting her sights on the London Marathon hoping to raise vital funds for an Armed Forces charity.
Having spent nine years in the Royal Navy and 10 in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Sarah Hardy is determined to fund-raise for SSAFA, a cause close to her heart.
She is taking on the marathon challenge despite the demands of her current job as an advanced nurse practitioner for the GP out-of-hour service, which sees her working permanent night shifts for the NHS.
Sarah was inspired to begin her military career at the age of 17 after seeing her dad, Peter Fazakarley, proudly serve with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
After serving 22 years in the British Army, Peter went on to volunteer as a caseworker for SSAFA for 32 years – and last year he received a Good Citizen Award from Coventry’s Lord Mayor in recognition of his services to the local Armed Forces community.
Sarah said: “Being born into a military family and then choosing to go onto serve my country, SSAFA has always been present in our lives, with a presence on bases across the world.
“The support SSAFA and its volunteers can offer those in the Armed Forces community can truly change lives – and I am so proud to be running my first marathon for this vital charity.
“Over the course of 32 years, my father worked tirelessly as a SSAFA volunteer caseworker to improve countless lives of those seeking support within Coventry and the surrounding areas.
“I’m immensely proud of his dedication so, as a thank you, I’m running this race for him; to show my own gratitude for the commitment he has shown his fellow veterans, serving personnel and their families.
“Even now, he continues to wear his SSAFA badge with such pride.”
To keep her motivated during the gruelling 26.2-mile course, Sarah is calling for 26 donors to each sponsor a mile and choose a song to help power her through that leg of the challenge.
She added: “I am hoping this fund-raising drive will help my friends, family or even strangers to feel they are playing a real part of my marathon journey on the day.
“Whether it is something motivational, emotional, completely ridiculous, or guaranteed to make me question my life choices at mile 23 – I’m in! Every pound raised will make a real difference to those who have served our country and their families, directly supporting them as and when they need it.”
The London Marathon takes place on April 26. Visit https://tinyurl.com/yck2b84x to sponsor Sarah.
