Hearts of Hope and Sisterhood

Brava to Siân Clarke (Class of 1993) who helped raise over £23,500 for the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity after courageously completing a marathon walk just months after having a heart transplant.

The fundraising campaign was the idea of friends who were all inspired by the astounding bravery and resilience Siân has shown since undergoing the operation late last year. LEH friends from two generations took part in the walk, including Siân’s daughter, Megan, and her classmates Maisie Ho, Amba Patel, Camilla Mammadova and Sarah Rudd from the LEH Class of 2024. The route started at Tower Bridge and ended at Hampton Court Bridge with plenty of support along the way.

Siân said “I left LEH in 1993 and friends who joined us on the day were Daisy Froud, Anne Burfitt (née Rowland), Louise Snell (née Gray), Nicola Fish, Alison Fish, Katharine Belsten (née Lodder), Caroline Glitre, Michelle Clinton (née Dow), Alice Rutt (née Mackay) and Kate Phillips (née Coleman).”

“It felt absolutely amazing to have my fellow alumnae joining me on the walk. They were a huge support for me when I was in hospital, coming to visit and sending frequent messages and packages. Their support continues during my recovery and the marathon walk was the perfect example of this. 

"It was also a great opportunity to get everyone together on one day and have a proper catch up. We all met at The Mute Swan pub on Hampton Court Bridge to celebrate the end of the walk and 40 years of friendship, which all started at LEH!

"Megan and her friends were a great source of energy along the route, even if they got waylaid in the pubs towards the end of the walk! They all commented how great it was that we had maintained our friendships from school and that they hoped they would still be friends in 30 years' time. 

"I covered the marathon route on a Lime bike. Many people participating commented that we should make this an annual event.

"As I crossed the finish line, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to all the staff at The Harefield Hospital and all my wonderful friends and family that had helped get me through the ordeal. I vowed that next year, further into my recovery, I would be completing the walk on foot. 

"I am celebrating every day since leaving the Harefield Hospital but one of the exciting plans for later in the year is a trip to Zakynthos Island, Greece with the LEH friends from the walk to recreate our post A-levels trip there in summer 1993 and to celebrate reaching 50!”

Please donate if you can help support Siân and such an important cause! All information is on her Just Giving page here: Sian's Harefield Marathon Walk is fundraising for Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity