Mum’s memory inspires Bedfordshire marathon runner
15 April 2009
Her mother’s profound deafness has inspired Maxine Marshall of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire to run the London Marathon for Deafness Research UK.
After two failed attempts to enter the marathon previously, Maxine decided that this year she would enter and run for Deafness Research UK, who had provided some support during her mum’s life.
You can sponsor Maxine at http://www.justgiving.com/maxinemarshall1.
Maxine’s mum had a reaction to medication she was prescribed to treat an illness as a teenager, which left her profoundly deaf. Maxine recalls: “Mum lived with profound deafness from her teenage years until she was 62 when she had a cochlear implant fitted. Before that it was really difficult for her trying to raise three small children and being deaf. She couldn’t just let us play in the garden or generally allow us to be just out of sight because of her disability and that made it really tough for her. Mum suffered with depression at times and I’m sure that this was in part due to the struggle of looking after three small children with a disability.”
Maxine’s mum passed away seven years ago and Maxine is delighted to be able to support Deafness Research UK by running the Marathon. She said: ”I know mum got some comfort from Deafness Research UK and so it is great to be able to give something back and raise money for a cause which is close to my heart. The sponsorship is going well and I’m really confident that I will raise over £1500 pounds which I will be really happy with.”
Maxine has been training with a friend who is also supporting a charity and they have both been taking the training seriously. Maxine said: “The furthest we have run so far is 20 miles which we did in three hours and 13 minutes and we’ve also joined a running club. It’s not really important about how long it takes us on the day I just want to finish on both feet! I have got lots of support from friends who are making their way down to London. I’m looking forward to it and I will definitely carry on running afterwards.”
For information on research into deafness and other hearing conditions, log on to the website, www.deafnessresearch.org.uk.
Notes for editors
About Deafness Research UK
- Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
- The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
- The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222
- For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at
- One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
- Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
- In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under Section 96 (6) of the Charities Act 1993.
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Ref: DRUK0127–Maxine Marshall marathon
