Just two weeks until our favourite event on the City’s calendar – the Bath Half Marathon.
The Bath Family Law team might not be lacing up their trainers and taking part this year, but we will be cheering on an extra special runner… head chef at local restaurant, Ludo Bar, Ashley Smith.
Running for super-Ella
“I’m running the Bath Half in honour of a very special little girl called Ella, who I had the privilege of meeting a couple of months ago,” shared Ashley. He bonded with the five-year-old’s family, who were out for lunch at Ludo Bar, after discovering Ella (the daughter of two of our founding partners, Peter and Alina Guest) suffers from the same condition as he does.
“Ella has been incredibly brave after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the beginning of this year and spending over a week in hospital,” continued Ashley, who is a father of three himself. “The strength, courage and positivity she has shown through something so life-changing is truly inspiring – she has handled it like a real-life superhero.”
Raising money for charity
Ashley knows first-hand how challenging type 1 diabetes is, as he’s been managing the condition himself since 2018. He will be joining thousands of other runners on the 13.1 mile course around the streets of Bath to raise money for two charities – Diabetes UK and OCD-UK. The latter is a national charity supporting those affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). “Not many people know that OCD is a massive part of diabetes,” Ashley explained. While not every person with diabetes will develop OCD, clinical studies have discovered a significantly higher prevalence of OCD symptoms in diabetic patients. “We call it the extra day job – checking blood every hour, watching what you eat – it takes over your life.”
Ella’s mum, Bath Family Law’s Business Manager and Partner Alina Guest, was full of praise for Ashley. “It’s been a really tough couple of months. But we are so proud of Ella and how brave she’s been, and feel very blessed to have people like Ashley in our corner. The whole family will be out on the race route cheering him on next month!”
Sponsor Ashley online
We all wish Ashley the best of luck for Sunday 15 March. “Every step I run will be for Ella, to celebrate her resilience, to support her journey ahead, and to show her and her family that they are surrounded by people who care deeply and are cheering them on every single day.”
If you’d like to help Ashley reach his £400 fundraising target you can sponsor him online.
For more information on how to spot the symptoms of type 1 Diabetes click here.
