TWO men have raised more than £1,500 for Basingstoke and District Young Carers by completing the Reading Marathon.

The Loddon Lilies are a dedicated group of Sherfield on Loddon women who have devoted their time and energy to raising money for charity, and this year, their efforts have been directed towards the Basingstoke and District Young Carers (BDYC). 

The BDYC are a registered charity set up to support young carers aged eight to 18 who live within the Basingstoke and Deane District. Their support reaches the families and siblings of the young carers providing guidance, respite and family support.

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The Loddon Lilies fundraising efforts this year will particularly be aimed at providing a group of Young Carers from BDYC the opportunity to attend the Young Carers Festival this year – a weekend of activities away from their caring responsibilities. 

Two family members, Steven Holden and Alistair Ruby, took part in The Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, April 2 and were successful in raising over £1,500 for BDYC. Steve Holden and Ali Ruby ran the marathon in under two hours and three hours respectively, cheered on by a group made up of family members and Lilies.

The Loddon Lilies have a history of making a positive impact in their community. Founded by a resident who organised a group of ladies to produce and publish a calendar, similar to the Calendar Girl for 2020. The calendar project helped raise £10,000 for the Wessex Ward at Basingstoke Hospital, which helped to fund an autologous transplant bone marrow service.

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During 2021/2022 the group then raised £5,000 to support North Hampshire Prostate Cancer Support Group so that equipment could be purchased to help facilitate meetings and support much-needed awareness campaigns of this common cancer affecting men. 

The Loddon Lilies would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the community of Sherfield on Loddon for their unwavering support. The group would like to specifically thank The Shop, The White Hart, and The Four Horseshoes in Sherfield on Loddon for their involvement in hosting as well as their ongoing generosity.