“It’s taught me how to turn something really difficult into something incredibly positive.”
On Sunday 27 April, Peter Thackrey, Deputy Head Pastoral at Bedales School, took on the 26.2-mile challenge of the TCS London Marathon in memory of his friend and colleague, Will Lithgow. Running in support of Rowans Hospice, Peter’s journey to the finish line became not only a personal tribute but a platform for opening meaningful conversations about grief, loss, and the importance of hospice care within the school community.
While running a marathon had always been a personal goal for Peter, the decision to run for Rowans Hospice in Will’s memory gave the challenge a deeper purpose.
You never necessarily need a reason to do it,” Peter shared, “but suddenly I had a really good reason. I wanted to remember Will and raise money for Rowans because what they did for Will and his family at the end of his life was just the most important thing. His wife said, ‘At the hardest time, they were there.’ That really stayed with me.
Peter’s run was also tribute to the compassionate care Rowans provided—not just to Will, but to his family, including his wife Lindsey and their children, who were able to be by his side in those final days.
The London Marathon is renowned for being physically and mentally demanding—and for Peter, the toughest stretch came around Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs.
“You’re running in the opposite direction of the finish line at that point, and it’s hard. But I kept thinking about Will, about Lindsey and the kids, and all the people who backed me. That’s what kept me going. By the time I crossed the finish line it just felt great!”
As Deputy Head Pastoral, Peter plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of students at Bedales. His marathon journey became more than just a challenge—it was an opportunity to talk openly with students and the wider school community about grief, loss, and resilience.
It just resonated with my role. As a community, we’re pretty open, but grief can be such a hard subject to talk about. I wanted to bring a real-life story into the conversation. When you go through something as difficult as end-of-life care and see firsthand how painful—and yet how amazing—it can be, it changes you. I wanted to share that, not only to honour Will but to help others who might one day face something similar, or might have gone through it already. But this also helped my own grief, and doing something positive by celebrating a colleague and a family who are very much part of our Bedales Community.
“The kids have been aware and involved, and it’s led to lots of smaller conversations. Some students have had their own experiences with hospices, and knowing this was going on gave them a chance to talk—if they wanted to.”
On Wednesday, 7 May, Peter led a whole-school assembly reflecting on the marathon and what it meant to the community.
I think the students are more aware now, and more supportive of one another. Sadly, in a large community, people are always going through difficult things. If we can help each other feel confident to talk about it, that’s a real positive.
Reflecting on the experience, Peter feels humbled by the outpouring of support—and inspired by the impact it’s had, both personally and within the school.
“It’s taught me how to turn something really difficult into something incredibly positive. The response from students, parents, friends, and family has been amazing. I didn’t expect we’d raise anywhere near £9,000. I’m really proud of that.”
The journey has left its mark in more ways than one – “The running has done wonders for my own wellbeing too. I’ve got the bug now—I’ll definitely keep going!”
At the heart of it all was Peter’s friendship with Will—a teacher, a musician, and someone who never lost his sense of humour.
I was lucky to have spent time with Will towards the end. He was amazing, he remained as sharp and witty as ever. I think if he knew I’d run the marathon for him, he’d say, ‘You’re mad! What on earth are you doing that for?’ But then he’d say thank you. He would’ve been overwhelmed by the response—and probably found it hilarious. Then he’d have dashed off to play some music. He was an amazing musician.
Peter encourages others to take on the London Marathon for Rowans Hospice, emphasising the unique value of supporting local care services.
“There’s something different about knowing you’re running for your local Hospice, and knowing the impact that has locally. It makes it all the more meaningful.”
Peter’s run was, above all, a celebration—of friendship, of community, and of the vital work Rowans Hospice in the local community.
If you have been inspired by Peter’s story and would like to share your story or fundraise for Rowans Hospice, get in touch with our Marketing or Fundraising Teams:
To share your story – marketing@rowanshospice.co.uk To fundraise – fundraising@rowanshospice.co.uk