Whaley Bridge's Marathon Man: Running the London Marathon for Sarcoma UK

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Whaley Bridge’s Marathon Man: Running for a Cause Close to Home

Twenty years after losing his mum, Bob Bell-Johnson is tackling the London Marathon and his own past, one step at a time.

This April, Whaley Bridge resident Bob Bell-Johnson will take on the formidable 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon, not just as a test of endurance, but as a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Liz.

This year marks two decades since Liz was lost to Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, at just 53 years old. Bob, who was only 19 at the time, is running to raise vital funds for Sarcoma UK and to honour the memory of the woman he calls his hero.

The journey to the starting line has been a marathon in itself. Bob has spoken with remarkable honesty about the profound impact of his mother’s death, which led to a long personal battle with depression and alcohol.

Now, having been sober since September 2023, he is channelling his energy into this positive and powerful challenge, turning personal struggle into a force for good within the community and beyond.

The physical challenge is immense, made even more so by hurdles Bob has faced his entire life. Born with a club foot and having undergone back surgery for cauda equina syndrome in 2013, running does not come easily.

In his own words, it’s like “eating chocolate with gravy – it can be done, but it’s not great.” Yet, this determination against the odds is the very definition of a local hero: facing down adversity with courage and a focus on helping others.

Bob has set a fundraising target of £5,000 for Sarcoma UK, the only national charity in the UK focused on all types of sarcoma. As of late February, he has already raised over £2,000.

To support Bob’s incredible effort and donate to Sarcoma UK, please visit his fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/page/bob-runningforsarcoma