12th July 2023

Guest Blogger: Luka Syplywczak 

Luka Syplywczak is running three ultra-marathons in three days - a total of 243km - from his family home in Kent to Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire.

He’s raising money for Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) in memory of his Aunt Ruth, who was treated there in 2022.

Luka is taking on this incredible challenge 28^th-30^th July. He said...

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My aunt genuinely was an inspiration to me and was someone that I always looked up to. Her warmth and enthusiasm for life was unparalleled and I miss her so much. I'm attempting the run to channel some of that hurt and if I can help someone going through the same thing whilst doing that, I will do everything I can.

Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre

I can't comprehend how difficult working at BHOC must be but each and every member of staff wore a smile and made an incredibly challenging time far more manageable.

I wish I was able to thank each and every member of staff who smiled at me or gave me a hug individually but hopefully the money raised will affect them positively in some small way. I honestly thought everyone on the ward was amazing.

The challenge

It's going to be approximately 240km across three days, consisting of an ultra-marathon each day. What I'm looking forward to is easy - I can't wait to spend time with friends and family. I've been overwhelmed by the support I have received and people's willingness to get along and run with me or give me a 'whey' from a car. I know that when I inevitably have to dig deep, having those people around me will make all the difference.

What I'm not looking forward to is becoming steadily more sick with nerves and apprehension as the event inches closer. As much as I have trained, I still have absolutely no idea if I can do it and I know that my body and mind will want me to stop on many occasions. Whilst overcoming those moments will be amazing, I'm scared that there might be one too many and I won't be able to finish. But I'm going to give it absolutely everything. Also, something I've not considered is the heat and as a man who once got sunstroke on British shores in April, that's certainly a concern. 

Fundraising

At the outset, I said to a friend that I would love to raise £5,000. Now I am just six weeks away from the challenge, I'm not sure this will be achieved, but for the moment I'm just going to keep pushing on. People have been so amazingly generous and every supportive text or nod of approval when I'm out running has kept me fired up throughout the training process. I've not done any fundraising in a long time, but it has reminded me how amazing people are and how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many absolute beauties.

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So far Luka has raised almost £4,000. Let’s all get behind him and help him smash the £5k target! Good luck, Luka, we're all rooting for you!

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