Kingston Speech & Language Therapist completes Brighton marathon for human rights charity

Radhika Lingham, 33, of Southfields completed the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 10 April in 4:48:20. This is her first marathon and she hopes to raise £750 for human rights charity the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (MF) by raising sponsorship from family and friends. Radhika works as a Speech and Language Therapist with adults who have learning disabilities in the Kingston area.

The MF offers help to survivors of torture living in the UK, including medical consultations, forensic documentation of injuries and psychological treatment.

Radhika, who is of Sri Lankan and Indian descent, said she wanted to support a human rights charity and was particularly keen to support the charity as they do a lot of work with Sri Lankan refugees in the UK.

"The MF works with many Sri Lankan refugees and, being half Sri Lankan, I wanted to support a charity that helps people who've been persecuted by the government because of the civil war there."

She

said she found the marathon harder than she expected because of the hot

weather. "I'm glad I did it, but found it hard going because it was hotter

than when I trained," said Radhika. "I took four jelly beans every

half hour to keep my energy levels up and the crowds really helped too. The

atmosphere was phenomenal - I couldn't believe how many people turned up to

watch!"

She said she enjoyed seeing the different costumes people were wearing. "My favourite costumes were Noddy, the dinosaur, and the stick of Brighton Rock. It was quite funny hearing the shouts from the crowd as we ran past - they were shouting, "Go on dinosaur" or "Come on stick man". The Brighton Rock man finished before me, even though he was wearing a huge costume!"

Radhika has been training for the marathon since before Christmas with the help of local trainer, Kevin Parker, who runs KP Fit.

"Kevin put together a great marathon training programme for me, with different types of runs and lots of cross training. He suggested I join the British Military Fitness group in Wimbledon Park, which was great for building up my fitness levels alongside my long runs," said Radhika.

Despite finding the marathon hard, Radhika said she "definitely" wants to run another marathon.

Charlie Keep, Head of Individual Giving at the Medical Foundation, thanked Radhika for her fundraising efforts.

 

"Without the time and efforts of our supporters up and down the country fundraising on behalf of the Medical Foundation, we simply could not provide the vital rehabilitative services to those who have suffered torture and been forced to flee to the UK seeking refuge," said Charlie. "Our congratulations and thanks go to Radhika for her impressive marathon effort and generous donation, which will go towards supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society and help them to begin the process of rebuilding their lives."

To sponsor Radhika, visit her Justgiving page. For more information on the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture click here.