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Gislingham man Howard Preston-Bloom set for first ever London Marathon to raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices




Howard Preston-Bloom, of Gislingham, is running the London Marathon to raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)...Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography. (9111652)
Howard Preston-Bloom, of Gislingham, is running the London Marathon to raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)...Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography. (9111652)

Inspired by the memory of his late mother and his desire to raise money for charity, a Gislingham man will take on his first London Marathon this weekend.

Howard Preston-Bloom will be among the runners representing East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (Each) when he takes on the 26.2-mile run, alongside thousands of other participants, on Sunday.

His mother, Marian Bloom, spent her final days in hospice care, prior to her death five years ago, and Howard explained he saw first hand the value of hospice workers during this difficult time.

“I always thought a hospice was a bad place to go, but, without a doubt, they go above and beyond to make the absolute best of a bad situation,” said Howard, a design engineer at specialist firm Styne in Rickinghall.

Howard Preston-Bloom, of Gislingham, is running the London Marathon to raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)...Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography. (9111651)
Howard Preston-Bloom, of Gislingham, is running the London Marathon to raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)...Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography. (9111651)

After taking up running in the aftermath to help clear his head, the 23-year-old decided he wanted to put it to good use by raising at least £2,500 for Each, stating it was “a genuine privilege” to support them.

“They have been really good to me,” he said. “It has been lovely to work alongside them and meet all the amazing people who work there and obviously have a very tricky job.

“My dad has done a lot of work with Each to raise money for them, so it means a lot to the family. Every little bit of money helps them.”

Having completed two half-marathons and a 10-kilometre run, Howard has trained four days a week since October and, as the day approaches, he said he is not nervous, but added that he is already looking forward to the finish line.

To donate towards the cause, go online to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HowardPrestonBloom.



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