Fadi Dahdouh has spoken of his pride at completing this year’s Sunday Marathon, a challenge he took on in memory of his late brother-in-law Nick Rock.

Nick passed away on 6th April last year, nine months after finding out he had Mesothelioma and Fadi, from Stroud, said he ran the race for him.

“I’ve known Nick for 28 years and we had great memories together with our families and friends,” said Fadi, 53.

“I have run the Stroud Half Marathon every year since 1995, only missing two of them in 1997 and 2001. Nick was always there on the finish line outside Marling School cheering me on.

“Even after Nick was diagnosed with cancer that didn’t stop him being there. I completed the London Marathon in Nick’s memory, raising funds so more people can receive the type of care he did from Sue Ryder.”

Fadi is a bit of a marathon running expert, having run the distance 10 times and has now run London Marathon seven times.

This year was the first year he pulled on a blue Sue Ryder running vest to raise funds for the only hospice in the county with an inpatient unit, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court.

“Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice is amazing,” Fadi said. “It’s got a great location and offers fantastic services, so I wanted to raise vital funds for them.

“I have so far raised over £2,000 to help the hospice keep on delivering their incredible support to people and their families, but I would dearly love to raise more as the hospice is such a special place.”

Even as a bit of a marathon running expert, Fadi admits to having a few pre-race nerves last Sunday.

“When I was told I had a place in the Sue Ryder London Marathon team I was excited and a little worried,” he admitted

“But race day was just incredible. The support I received was amazing; especially at the Sue Ryder cheer points around the course. It was so needed. It helped me round.

“This was my seventh London Marathon, but it was one of my most enjoyable. I paced myself and the atmosphere was electric. It is hard – no race is ever easy – but when the going got tough I thought of my brother-in-law Nick.

“I have already applied for London 2020 to run again for Sue Ryder on Team Incredible. I loved running for them, and hearing the stories of all the other runners was inspirational.

“We were a real team and even though we didn’t know each other before London 2019, we supported one another every step of the way – it was really special to be part of the team.”

You can support Fadi’s fundraising by donating online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fadirunimofnick

To find out more about joining Team Incredible at London 2020 visit www.sueryder.org/LondonMarathon or email leckhampton.events@sueryder.org