“When I got a place, I burst into tears”

Thirty years after promising her five-year-old self that she would emulate her Uncle Chris and complete the London Marathon, Gemma Waro is all set to make good on that pledge.

Despite having never previously done any serious running, Gemma, a primary school teacher and mother of three boys under nine, is finally ready to follow in Chris Brazil’s footsteps or, strictly speaking, his wheel tracks, as, having been born with spina bifida, he completed the Marathon multiple times in a wheelchair.

“I remember from about the age of five we would go and watch and cheer on Uncle Chris. I loved the atmosphere and promised myself then that one day I would run it.”

Chris died of cancer 28 years ago at St Christopher’s and while Gemma was too young to have strong memories of it, she says her father, Mick, has always praised the care and support his brother and the whole family received from the hospice.

It was when her father’s other brother, John decided to take a year off from organising an annual charity ball for St Christopher’s, that novice runner Gemma, originally from South Norwood, decided now was the time.

“When I got a place, I burst into tears. Shock, joy, wow! I always wanted to do it for St Christoper’s because as well as Uncle Chris, I know lots of other people who they’ve looked after.”

After recovering from the shock, Gemma had to face the reality of running – a lot!

“I run after children, but that’s about it,” she jokes.

A training plan provided by St Christopher’s has been Gemma’s bible. Starting very slowly, running for a minute and resting for two, by the time of this interview she’d built up to 19 miles.

“Lucy in the fundraising department at St Christopher’s has been amazing sending motivating texts at random times when I really needed them. And she’s always there to inspire us and answer all our questions.”

Adjusting to running isn’t the only way in which Gemma has surprised herself. She admits to having felt daunted by the fundraising, especially on top of the training, her job and the kids. But just four weeks from the big day and she’s well on target to hit her £7,000 target.

A race night raised £2,000, a prosecco lunch brought in another £1,000 and with cake sales at her husband’s work, and her two older sons doing a charity penalty shootout, have made that target manageable. She even recruited the children at the primary school where she teaches to run a marathon relay and is hoping the parents will chip in too.

“My tip for fundraising would be, don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be surprised by how generous people are. It really helps that St Christopher’s is an actual place with real people with real stories.”

So, how does Gemma think she’ll navigate ‘the wall’ if and when she hits it on Sunday 27 April?

“I’ve hit a few walls in training, and I just have to remember who’ll be there for me at the next mile. I’ve got so many people coming to watch. My boys will be at halfway, my nan will be there, and my husband will be at three places on the route. Some of the kids from school are coming to cheer me on too. I know I’ll probably break down when I see my family.”