WILLSBRIDGE businessman Paul Collings and his wife Abbie were among hundreds of local people who completed the Bath half marathon last month.
Abbie’s success was all the more remarkable as it came just four days after she had chemotherapy for bowel cancer.
“Her motto is Never Give Up – she continues to amaze us all with her grit and determination,” said Paul.
Abbie’s courage was spurring him on as he prepared to tackle the London Marathon on April 27.
Before the race, Paul, 45, who is director of a building services consultancy, said that less than two years ago he would never have considered running 26 miles.
That changed after Abbie, 46, who works with Paul in the consultancy, became ill in May 2023. She underwent chemotherapy and colorectal surgery and tumour removal and was given the all-clear early last year, only to be given the devastating news a few months later that the cancer was back and had spread.
Chemotherapy last summer did not work but since then Abbie has begun alternative ongoing treatments, which so far are showing positive results.
Abbie and their children Millie, 16, and Ben, 13, were all planning to be in London to cheer Paul on as he took part in the marathon as part of a team supporting the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research.
The charity was started by the inspirational Dame Deborah James and is “fuelled by the spirit of rebellious hope – of choosing to remain hopeful in the face of overwhelming odds”.
Its aim is to give more people with cancer more time with the people they love. That’s the driving force for Paul, whose fundraising has already topped £5,000 including gift aid,
He said: “I am here in the hope that our fundraising will enable future research projects, which in turn will find solutions for earlier diagnosis, better, more effective and targeted treatment, resulting in improving survival rates. Most of all, I am doing it for my beautiful and courageous wife and soulmate Abbie.”
To support Paul, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/paulslondonmarathon2025