Marathon for my mum: daughter runs London Marathon after paramedics save her life

A woman will be running the marathon on Sunday in honour of the London Ambulance Service paramedics who saved her mother’s life after she suffered a cardiac arrest.

Catherine Blazye is running as part of #TeamLAS to raise money for the London Ambulance Charity, after her mum Beatrice collapsed suddenly at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The worst call

Catherine said: “It’s the worst call to get. It was such a shock. Mum has always been so fit and healthy.

“I live in Chicago, so I had to get on a plane not knowing what the outcome would be.”

Her father Andrew was at home with Beatrice when became ill. A severe storm had just hit London at the time.

They were phenomenal

Catherine said: “The call handler reassured him that help would be with him soon. Then the paramedics arrived and dad said they were phenomenal.

“They worked so quickly, realising she needed to get straight to hospital. She collapsed at the doors of the hospital and the paramedics resuscitated her.

“Even after handing over her care, they went to sit with my dad to make sure he was okay. He calls them his heroes.”

Living life to the full

Beatrice has since made a strong recovery and is living life to the full. Catherine says this inspired her to take on the marathon challenge.

She said: “I’m not really a runner – tennis is my thing – but knowing I’m doing it for the London Ambulance Charity and with mum in mind pushes me through.

“Running in Chicago in freezing conditions isn’t easy, but it keeps me focused on why I’m doing this. My mum is my superhero. She’s still so active and determined to enjoy life, and that inspires me every day.”

Fantastic fundraising

Catherine has already raised over £9,000 for the London Ambulance Charity, which funds lifesaving skills training, community defibrillators, and wellbeing support for ambulance crews.

“I think about the other families who might go through what we did and how a defibrillator in the right place might make all the difference,” she said.

“And I think about the crews too – they see traumatic things every day. Supporting their wellbeing matters just as much. If more lives can be saved because of this, then it’s worth every mile.”

Supporting care and crews

Jessica Burgess, Head of London Ambulance Charity, said: “It is such an honour to have Catherine running the marathon with #TeamLAS.

“Her incredible sponsorships will not only help the amazing paramedics that arrive to help families like hers, they will provide free CPR training and defibrillators so that people can help their friends and neighbours before the ambulance arrives.

“We are truly grateful for all Catherine has given to complete this incredible challenge.”

Catherine will be running with her friend Julia Sinton and you can support them through their fundraising pages: Team CAT & JULIA fundraising for London Ambulance Charity is fundraising for London Ambulance Charity