London Marathon
Aimee Button, assistant manager Queen’s Head in Bramfield

Aimee takes on virtual London Marathon

The assistant manager at a popular Suffolk pub will run the virtual London Marathon next month to raise funds for the Pear Tree Fund.

Aimee Button, who works at the Queen’s Head in Bramfield, had originally planned to take on the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge alongside thousands of other runners on 26 April. But when the race was cancelled due to coronavirus, she decided to make alternative arrangements to raise vital funds.

Instead of pounding the pavements of the capital, the 26-year-old will instead run a ‘virtual’ London marathon by completing 18 laps of a 1.4 mile loop based around the pub on Sunday 4 October 2020. She is now inviting supporters to join her for a lap or simply cheer her on while making a small donation to the Pear Tree Fund.

Aimee, who lives in Lowestoft, said: “Like many others, I was really disappointed when this year’s marathon was cancelled, especially as I’d be training hard for the race. But I still wanted to cover the distance while raising money for the Pear Tree Fund, and thought running a virtual marathon would be a nice way to do just that.

“I’ll be encouraging people to walk, jog or cycle with me on the day before making a small donation to the charity. I also plan to hold a charity book sale and have a dedicated area where people can cheer me on.

“I hope as many people as possible will be able to support me so that I can raise as much as I can for this fantastic local charity.”

The Pear Tree Fund, formerly known as Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund, was set up more than 30 years ago support people with life-limiting illnesses who wish to die in the comfort and security of their own homes.

More recently, it raised £900,000 to build the Pear Tree Centre, which opened earlier this year on land next to Cutlers Hill Surgery in Halesworth and brings a full range of holistic services closer to home for people with cancer or other life-limiting illnesses. This includes benefits advice, support for children and families, complementary therapies, help understanding a diagnosis, counselling and bereavement support. 

The charity is now raising money towards the centre’s £150,000 a year running costs. 

Ted Edwards, charity trustee, said: “We are very grateful to Aimee for choosing to support our charity and wish her the very best of luck when she runs the virtual marathon on 4 October.

“We look forward to cheering her on and toasting her success at the Queen’s Head once her challenge is complete.”

Aimee will begin her virtual challenge at 9am. Anyone who would like to sponsor her can at https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/Abuttonmarathon 

the Pear Tree Fund

To find out more about the centre and how you could support the charity, go to www.peartreefund.org