Peter Sutton
Peter from Chislehurst is taking part in the iconic TCS London Marathon in support of PACT, the charity through which he adopted his two boys.
Peter, aged 41, is a healthcare operations manager and he and his husband David recently beame adoptive parents to two children.
Peter was due to run the London Marathon for PACT in October 2022 but had to pull out at the last minute as the event fell on the same day as when he and David were due to meet their sons for the first time!
He said: “Thankfully, PACT was as keen as I for all my training through that long hot summer to not go to waste, and kindly gave me a second chance this year.”
He added: “My marathon challenge this year is even more personal to me than the last time, because I am running to support a charity which has supported us throughout a momentous, life changing event.
“Adoption in the UK is a complex and, at times, very challenging process, and I could not envisage doing it without the support and guidance of a charity like PACT.
“However, providing the level of information and one to one support we continue to receive even after having our two boys placed with us does not come cheap, and it is through fundraising that I can pay back some of the kindness that has been extended to my husband and I.
“I hope that future prospective adopters have the same positive experience as we have. Every penny will go towards supporting prospective adopters, as well as providing vital on-going post-adoption support to families like our own.”
He said that he previously ran the London Marathon in 2013 and found it “emotional, exhilarating, inspirational, painful, and challenging, all in equal measure!”
“Aside from the satisfaction of (hopefully) getting round in one piece and getting that finisher’s medal, I am mostly looking forward to being part of the event and experiencing that atmosphere once again.
“Marathon day is one of those special days where London comes into its own, and I have always revelled in the love and support everyone has for each other on the day. I just have to make sure I don’t cry too much – I can’t afford to lose any more water and electrolytes!”
Peter is one of seven members of Team PACT who will be running the 26.2 miles around the streets of London on 23rd April.
He has a £1,600 fundraising target and is collecting donations to his page at https://tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/peter-sutton-eb140/
He said: “PACT has been nothing short of amazing from the very beginning, and we both feel privileged to have been so well supported by our amazing social worker, and by the other PACT staff during the various stages of our adoption journey.
“Because of this experience, I could not think of any other charity more deserving than PACT and feel privileged to try and raise some money for them.”
