Chichester hairstylist Lucia Jackson showed true grit and resolve in the London Marathon, raising a phenomenal £5,689 for Macmillan Cancer Research.
Local hairstylist, Lucia Jackson, displayed incredible determination as she completed the gruelling London Marathon last Sunday. She crossed the finish line with the immense satisfaction of having raised an astounding £5,689 for Macmillan Cancer Research. For Lucia, a talented member of the Q Hair and Beauty team in Chichester, this was her first marathon. She undertook the formidable challenge in loving memory of her stepmother Angie, who sadly passed away due to cancer.
“The London Marathon has been on my list to complete before I am 30; it’s been a dream for a long time,” she said. “I have always loved running but honestly didn’t think I was truly capable of achieving such a significant distance.”
Marathon Challenge for a Cause
Lucia has been a valued member of the Q Hair and Beauty family for 13 years, progressing to the role of senior artistic director. The support and encouragement she received from her colleagues and the salon’s clientele were a source of immense strength throughout her training and the race itself. “Six of the amazing Q team came to cheer me on with fantastic banners,” she said. “They managed to see me at two different points along the route, and we had a wonderful celebration together afterwards.”
This remarkable feat was also Lucia’s first foray into charity fundraising, and she was deeply touched by the generosity of the Q Hair and Beauty clients. “The donations from the salon guests were absolutely overwhelming,” she expressed. “It meant so incredibly much to me, and the constant thought that I was helping to fund vital cancer research truly kept me going through the toughest miles.”
A Personal Motivation
The motivation behind Lucia’s incredible effort was deeply personal. “We tragically lost my amazing stepmother Angie at the end of 2021,” she said. “After her initial treatment, during what we hoped was her recovery, she became unwell again. We then received the devastating news that the cancer had unfortunately spread to her brain, and within a very short amount of time, our dear Angie was no longer with us.”
Macmillan’s Vital Work
Lucia is profoundly grateful for the support she received. “Macmillan gives people living with cancer everything they’ve got,” she said. “If you receive that life-altering diagnosis, your worries become Macmillan’s worries, and they will do absolutely whatever it takes to help.”
However, Lucia also highlighted the crucial role of public support in enabling Macmillan’s vital work. “But without your help, Macmillan can’t support everyone who desperately needs them,” she said.
A Lasting Impact
Lucia inspiring journey and her phenomenal fundraising achievement are a testament to her strength, compassion, and the incredible spirit of the hair and beauty community. Her dedication in honouring Angie’s memory will undoubtedly make a real difference to the lives of those affected by cancer.