'This charity was there in our darkest hours': West Midlands Sisters gear up for London marathon following death of father

The sisters, Shellie Shakespeare, 41, from Burntwood, and Jodie Watts, 29, from Kingswinford, lost their beloved dad, Phil, to liver failure in 2020. 

In memory of Phil, they're aiming to raise £4,000 for the British Liver Trust which could enable other families to have the kind of support they received when they most needed it.

Shellie said: "Jodie and I are not seasoned runners. I started with Couch to 5K as a coping mechanism during lockdown and Jodie did the same last year, but we felt we wanted to do something special to raise funds for the British Liver Trust. 

“This charity was there in our darkest hours, by being at the end of the phone when we were so worried about dad and nobody would take us seriously. We’d like to help stamp out the stigma that goes with liver problems, and to help with earlier diagnosis.  

“Dad was planning to retire this year and before we realised how serious his illness was, he and I had made a pact that once he got better we would run the London marathon together. 

"So, it’s an event me and Jodie really want to do in his memory and this year is the perfect time to do it!”  

Shellie and Jodie have both been training hard over the past year, and, every month has included a 10K or half marathon which they admit has been a 'real challenge'.

Jodie, an energy supplier advisor, said: "We knew this would be hard, but I don’t think we could quite comprehend how tough the training would be! The support and backing of all our friends and family is definitely what’s keeping us both going.

"We are both a bit apprehensive about the day, but I’m sure once we get started it will be amazing. We know it’s going to be mentally, physically and emotionally draining, but it means so much to us to cross that finish line that we’re determined to do it.  

"And if we can just help one family have a better experience than ours then we will have achieved something.” 

Audrey Cornelius, Director of Fundraising at the British Liver Trust, said: “As a charity, we are leading the fight against liver disease and liver cancer. We reach over two million people each year; providing information and support to patients and families and providing vital advice to help people improve their liver health. But there is still so much to be done. 

Liver disease is the only major disease in the UK where death rates are rising, and we want to change that. We’re so grateful that Shellie and Jodie are taking on the London Marathon for us. It’s a huge commitment and a wonderful tribute to their dad. We wish them all the best for the big day, and we’ll be there cheering them on!”  

You can support Shellie and Jodie’s London Marathon challenge at  Shellie Shakespeare is fundraising for British Liver Trust 

For more information on British Liver Trust visit British Liver Trust - Pioneering Liver Health