Scott Bartlett on running the Berlin Marathon

style=”width: 500px; height: 280px; float: right;” />Retired marathon enthusiast Scott thought he had hung his running shoes up for good, but on a whim decided to put his name in the ballot to run the Berlin Marathon 2017. Defying the odds, he got a place and decided to fundraise for the Giggle Doctors, who he had met whilst working at Lewisham Hospital. Scott shares his marathon journey and why he chose to support the Theodora Children’s Charity: 

“I had technically retired from marathon running. I always thought though, that if I did one more, it would have to be somewhere different.  

On a whim I applied for a place in this year’s Berlin Marathon. Kind of a no-win-no-fee deal. If I didn’t get in then it didn’t matter – if I did, which was surely very unlikely, then it would be one last marathon adventure for the old man.  

Then I got an email saying I had a place! 

As I thought about training plans and flipping between excitement and worry, excitement and panic, excitement and even more worry, I also considered whether to try and raise money for a good cause. From the moment that thought came into my head only one name went along with it: The Theodora Children’s Charity.   

I work in the communications team at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and had met Alice and Louise through our play specialist at Lewisham Hospital, Sharon. We started planning some general promotion for ‘Giggle Week’, a week of social media activity and promoting the work the charity does with our staff. 

The team all seemed so nice, and the more I saw the Giggle Doctors at work the more I wanted to try and help in some small way.  

One afternoon I went with my colleague Louise to get a photo with Dr Snug and Sharon to add to my Just Giving page. As we were waiting, Dr Snug was making a balloon animal for a little girl.  

As the Giggle Doctor blew up the balloon, and drew a face on it, the girl was mesmerized. Dr Snug encouraged her to stroke the balloon mouse, and as she did, pulled the tail and the mouse flew into the air – the little girl screamed with laughter – she laughed and laughed, and in those moments wasn’t thinking about being in hospital, or seeing the grown up Doctor, but in being carefree and happy in that amazing way that children should always be. 

This was a perfect example of the moments I have seen the Giggle Doctors entertain a patient or calm them down. Their whole focus is on helping those children to be just that, children. Helping them laugh, and helping them – and their parents – smile and get through some tough times.  

I’m really honoured the charity let me represent them and hope it helps in some small way, even if it is just to buy some magic wands, or fund a visit or two. 

Thank you to all of my friends and family for sponsoring me, AGAIN – they are incredibly kind and generous as always – and for putting up with me coming out of retirement, AGAIN.

The marathon itself was great – I’d highly recommend it, and Berlin as a place to visit. It was a freezing day but a great atmosphere. I think I’ll hang up my marathon kit now. Maybe.”