Simon and Nicky raise £550 on a rainy Oxford Half

Nicky and Simon Salome-Bentley braved yesterday’s heavy rain to complete their first Oxford Half Marathon yesterday (October 13). The couple from Leafield near Witney, have raised £800 for two charities close to their hearts, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF) and MIND.

“We first became aware of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation when our niece was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, many years ago,” explained Simon, 70, a retired librarian.

“Having a child in the family diagnosed with an incurable liver disease was a shock to everyone and CLDF were there with much needed information and support for us all,” he explains. “Erica had to have a liver transplant but luckily has done really well ever since. She is now a teacher in Falmouth and has just celebrated her liver’s 20^th birthday! To mark the occasion, we decided we would like to raise funds for CLDF as we want to know that other families who are having to cope with that diagnosis will receive the help that we did.

“Nicky and I only took up running in recent years and, aged 64 and 70, we were delighted to have finished the course, albeit soaked to the skin! The rain varied from heavy drizzle to monsoon but the crowds lining the streets were fantastic and carried us along with their cheers. Nicky came 36th in her age group, I came 15^th in mine and we crossed the finish line and we crossed the finish line together so we were both very pleased with our efforts.”