Leamington detective is moved to run a marathon for Castel Froma care home

Collette O’Keefe, 38, felt moved to raise funds for Castel Froma - which cares for people with acquired brain injuries and neurological conditions - after her aunt-in-law Carol Thompson was admitted there last year.

Carol, 64, suffered significant head injuries, a broken leg and broken wrist in a fall at her home in Coventry in May last year - and after two months of being in intensive care in hospital and another few months at the Central Rehabilitation Unit in Leamington, she was transferred to Castel Froma. She has a brain injury which affects her memory and is not mobile.

Collette, who visits Carol at least once a fortnight, said: “Castle Froma is a lovely environment and the staff are great. They have a lot of patience and time with the patients. I am very pleased Carol is there.

“Her life will never be the same again but she will continue to be surrounded by family and staff at Castle Froma. “

Collette ran the London Marathon nine years ago and has remained a keen runner, having competed nationally at track and field and cross country events.

To sponsor her, visit www.justgiving.com/Collette-O-Keefe1

To find out more about Castel Froma, visit www.castelfroma.org.uk

• Also taking part in this Sunday’s London Marathon is the Rev James Church, the minister of Lillington Free Church and Radford Road Church in Leamington. Mr Church is running to raise funds for CLIC Sargent, which supports children with cancer and leukaemia. To sponsor him, visit: www.justgiving.com/James-Church1

• Warwick man James McCann, who the Courier featured in February, is taking part in the marathon to raise funds for National Autistic Society in tribute to the care received by his son Mitchell. He has now finalised his list of dedications (one for each mile), which include: Anne Marie Jones and the IDS team, Run Warwick, Becky and the rest of the team from Monkey Puzzle nursery, Warwick Health and Education services, the Duke’s Head in Richmond, Rebecca Shaw and the CDS team and many friends, family members and colleagues. To sponsor him, visit nas-london-marathon-2016.everydayhero.com/uk/james-1