Making strides together: running club’s 16-mile challenge in memory of teammate, Dawn
Portishead Running Club are lacing up their shoes for a poignant fundraising tribute on April 27 to their late teammate, Dawn Guy.
Eighteen runners are stepping up to complete a 16-mile endurance challenge along the scenic coastline from Portishead to Clevedon. Their mission doesn’t end there; they will take part in the Clevedon Parkrun before retracing their steps back to Portishead. The runners are rallying together to honour Dawn’s memory and to raise funds for St Peter’s Hospice, the charity that provided her with support and care during her illness.
Dawn lived in Nailsea and joined Portishead Running Club a year ago when she and her sister enrolled in their Couch to 5k programme. Dawn enjoyed running so much that she then took on the programme to train to 10k, successfully completing the Clevedon Parkrun and Bristol 10k last summer.
Speaking on behalf of Portishead Running Club, David McCallum says: “Dawn often reminisced about her summer runs along the coast and how they made her feel so alive. Sadly, Dawn was only with us for a short time because she became ill over the Summer. During that time with us, Dawn made a lasting and positive impact on all in the club who knew her, and we’ve now named a trophy in her honour for our most determined runner. Thirty-three people have signed up to the Clevedon Parkrun and 18 of those are also running to Clevedon and back to Portishead, where we’ll have a celebration to mark the occasion.”
Dawn first became aware that something was wrong with her health in June 2023 when she began to have trouble swallowing. She was treated for Reflux at first, but when that didn’t improve her symptoms further medical investigations revealed that she had a tumour in her stomach, and its invasive growth extended into her oesophagus. Tragically, Dawn was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer and her health rapidly declined.
Dawn’s partner of 20 years, Lee Attwood reflects on the swift and challenging journey they endured together: “From the moment we discovered the tumour until she passed, it was just four months,” says Lee.
Dawn went into the Hospice in early December but was able to come home briefly for her 40th birthday. She then returned to the Hospice at Brentry and died there on Christmas Day.
Lee says: “I’d never been to a Hospice before so I had preconceived ideas about what it would be like. I couldn’t believe how nice it is! The place is beautiful – I took Dawn out in the wheelchair to see the gardens and was able to bring the dog there. The staff were amazing and friendly, and the room was lovely with large doors opening out onto the garden. Dawn had spent a lot of time in the hospital in the previous months and this was completely worlds apart. I was able to sleep there in the final week and remain with her to the end.
“It’s so sad because Dawn was just starting to find herself before she became ill. Dawn was quiet but very driven: she was in a job that she enjoyed, working as a compliance auditor at Shield Safety, and was enrolled to train to be an Environmental Health Officer. She loved the running club, completing the Bristol and Clevedon 10k.”
All proceeds from the Portishead Running Club challenge will go to support patients and their families who also need the help and care that St Peter’s Hospice was able to give Dawn. To donate see: https://www.justgiving.com/page/portisheadrunningclub