Marathon Star's mega-run raises £3,000 in memory of dad

A Fylde woman has raised more than £3,000 for charity in memory of her late dad by completing a gruelling 215-mile ultra-marathon at home.
By Tony Durkin
Published 22nd Jul 2020, 15:45 GMT
Star with her late dad PaulStar with her late dad Paul
Star with her late dad Paul

Star Bickerstaff, 28, crossed the ‘finish line’ in 70 hours in her conservatory at Tudor Road, St Annes to boost the coffers of Blind Veterans UK, which supports blind and partially-sighted veterans.

The mum-of-four was originally running to fundraise for potentially lifesaving stem cell treatment for her Army veteran father Paul, who had multiple sclerosis.

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But Paul died last month, aged 63, and Star had reservations about whether she would take part in the race or not.

Star was supported on her ultra-marathon by family members including one-year-old son PatrickStar was supported on her ultra-marathon by family members including one-year-old son Patrick
Star was supported on her ultra-marathon by family members including one-year-old son Patrick

The former Lytham St Annes High School pupil decided to go ahead in tribute to him, however, and said after her run: “My dad was so supportive of my running.

“When he died I considered dropping out but I knew that he wanted to see me cross the finish line so I decided to do it for him.”

The 215-mile race was originally due to take participants across the width of Scotland before being made virtual because of Covid-19.

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Star completed the race on a treadmill in her conservatory, using a Garmin tracking device to alert race organisers of her progress.

“The hardest moment was on the final night,” she added.

“I hadn’t slept in three days and I couldn’t get any food down me. Then I realised that when I finished it would be three weeks on from dad’s passing.

“I got very emotional but I just did what I always do and thought of the end goal and that got me through.”

Blind Veterans UK supported Paul to adapt to life with sight loss and Star said: “The care they showed my dad was just amazing. I know he would be happy with the decision to support them."

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Star, who was cheered on at home by fiance Paul, step-daughter Imogen, 16, and sons Jacob, nine, Tommy, four and one-year-old Patrick ), began her extreme running challenges after missing out on a spot in the 2016 London Marathon.

She consequently signed up for the Jurassic Coast Challenge – three marathons in three days – and now hopes to tackle the 215-mile race outdoors next year with an 885-mile run from Land’s End To John o’Groats to come in 2022.

Her ultimate target for the charity is £40,000 and details are at gofundme.com/f/2gg8zd8

Related topics:Blind Veterans UKFyldeSt Annes

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