Ipswich UK Power Networks workers to take on London Marathon in memory of Dean Wootton

The wife and best friend of a man who died from blood cancer are set to put their fitness to the test this weekend.

Sarah Wootton will take on the London Marathon on Sunday in memory of Dean Wootton alongside Jeff Hicks

The pair, who work for UK Power Networks in Ipswich, first began running when Dean was diagnosed with myeloma and haven’t stopped since.

Sarah has started a fund-raiser on behalf of Myeloma UK, which is getting close to its £2,000 goal.

Jeff is set to raise money for Brain Research UK as his father-in-law had a brain tumour and his wife, Liz, has a rare neurological condition.

Sarah has been training hard through the winter but Jeff recently secured them a place at the London Marathon.

Jeff, who is running it for the first time, said: “I find it a little bit more daunting as there’s a lot of expectation.

“Eyes will be on us but just getting to the start line is an achievement if you have escaped injury.”

Sarah expressed her excitement in the lead up to the challenge – and thanked colleagues for their generosity in donating to their fund-raisers.

Sarah said Dean, who died in 2023 and worked at UK Power Networks alongside them, was proud of her for taking up running for a good cause.

She said: “He encouraged me a lot and cheered on me and Jeff. My races always gave him a buzz, a real lift.”

The first event the pair took part in together was the Ipswich Half Marathon where they raised money for Myeloma UK.

After the Covid-19 lockdowns they took on two 50 kilometre ultra marathons, with one taking place on one of the hottest days of the year.

Jeff described the races as ‘really tough’ but said they planned to do more ‘mad’ distances in the future.