A huge congratulations to all our incredible Swanton colleagues who took on the Cardiff Half Marathon — showing amazing determination, team spirit and care in action. Whether they were running for personal causes or simply to challenge themselves, every participant made us proud as they crossed the finish line and raised funds for charities close to their hearts.
Among them were Lucy, Kate, Jen, Kaz, Tony, Julianne, Emma, Matthew, and Naomi — from across our Wales services and the Senior Leadership Team — as well as Ashley O’Keefee, support worker in Wales, Joelle, Scheme Manager in Community Services, West Wales, and Robert Hughes, Team Leader in West Wales. Each one brought their own motivation and story to the day, but together they showed what the Swanton spirit is all about — compassion, courage and community.
Lucy’s Story – Running For Indie
For Lucy, Vocational Services Manager for Wales, the Cardiff Half Marathon was more than just a challenge — it was deeply personal. Her two-year-old niece, Indie, was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C, a rare genetic condition, when she was just a few months old.
“As soon as we found out, I researched everything I could about the disease and the charity,” Lucy said. “I vowed to do everything I could to help fundraise — and wanted to do something big, out of my comfort zone. The Cardiff Half definitely ticked that box!”
What started as Lucy’s solo fundraising idea quickly became a team effort. “We were at a regional meeting when I mentioned I was thinking about doing it,” she explained. “Everyone’s response was amazing — people immediately said they wanted to join. We signed up the following week!”
The team included colleagues from both Wales services and the Senior Leadership Team, who came together to support Lucy’s cause. They set up a group chat to share training tips, encouragement and plenty of pre-race motivation — and even when illness and injury struck in the weeks before the event, every one of them made it to the finish line.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Lucy recalled. “People were singing, dancing, handing out sweets and cheering all the way. And the best part? I got to push my niece Indie in her pram across the finish line — that’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”
Together, Lucy and the team raised an incredible £9,500 for the Niemann-Pick UK charity. “Every penny counts for small charities like this and the wonderful work they do,” she said. “The team effort was nothing short of exceptional.”
Ashley’s Story - Going The Distance
Ashley O’Keefee, Support Worker in Wales, achieved an incredible milestone by completing theHalf Marathon — his very first half marathon. Despite facing an injury and having minimal training, Ashley crossed the finish line in an impressive 2 hours and 33 minutes, showing true resilience and determination.
Since catching the running bug in March, Ashley has gone from strength to strength. His passion for running has grown rapidly, leading him to take on multiple challenges. Most notably, in September, he completed an astonishing 60 miles to raise awareness and funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, a cause close to his heart. Through this effort, Ashley raised £217, making a meaningful impact for those affected by the condition.
Ashley’s journey is a powerful reminder that with grit and heart, anything is possible. “The support from everyone at Swanton has been incredible,” he said. “I’m already thinking about what challenge to take on next.”
Joelle’s Story – Running for Llanelli Mind
Also taking part in this year’s half marathon was Joelle, Scheme Manager in our Community Services in West Wales, who achieved an incredible personal milestone while raising funds for Llanelli Mind.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time but never thought I would be able to,” Joelle said. “One day I saw the sign-up link, didn’t think twice, and just went for it! I wanted to push myself beyond what I thought I could achieve — and I’m so proud that I did.”
Training took plenty of dedication and perseverance. “It was tough,” she admitted. “There was a lot of discipline and hard work involved. I only managed to train up to 10 miles because of a knee injury, but on the day the adrenaline completely took over!”
Crossing the finish line was an unforgettable moment. “Seeing my husband and best friends cheering me on felt absolutely amazing,” Joelle said. “After months of effort and self-discipline, knowing I’d run the whole way was such an incredible feeling — and the atmosphere was just outstanding.”
Joelle raised an impressive £640 for Llanelli Mind, and she’s incredibly grateful for the support she’s received. “I’m so thankful to everyone who sponsored me and believed in me,” she said. “Every penny will help Llanelli Mind continue their amazing work supporting people in our community.”
And when it comes to what’s next? Joelle isn’t hanging up her running shoes anytime soon.
“100% do it!” she said. “The feeling you get crossing that finish line is unimaginable, and the support throughout the whole run is amazing. I’ve already signed up for next year — I want to beat my time and raise even more for charity.”
Rob’s Story – Miles That Make a Difference
Robert Hughes, Team Leader in West Wales, also took on the half marathon to raise money for Llanelli Mind, joining Joelle in supporting the local cause.
“I started running just over a year ago and wanted to set myself a target of completing a half marathon,” Rob explained. “I thought it would be great if I could raise money for an amazing charity at the same time. Llanelli Mind are currently building Wales’ first crisis prevention café for young people, which will be such a huge asset for the area.”
Training took real commitment and consistency. “There were lots of long runs in the weeks leading up to race day,” Rob said. “Some runs were harder than others, and there were definitely days when going for a run was the last thing I wanted to do — but I’m so glad I pushed myself.”
Crossing the finish line made all that effort worth it. “It felt amazing,” he said. “Seeing my wife and children cheering me on was the best feeling in the world. The support and atmosphere on the day were incredible.”
Rob raised an impressive £300 for Llanelli Mind, helping to support their vital work across the community. “If you’re planning on taking part in a challenge like the half marathon,” Rob said, “I’d definitely recommend raising money for a charity in the process — it makes it even more rewarding.”
The Swanton Ethos Shines Through
Across every mile, our colleagues embodied the true Swanton Pride Ethos — showing their potential, taking responsibility for making a difference, and demonstrating empathy in everything they did.
From the first step of training to crossing the finish line, their determination, compassion, and teamwork shone through. Swanton was proud to support their efforts with a company donation, recognising the incredible dedication and community spirit shown by everyone who took part.
“To me, Swanton isn’t just a community — it’s a family,” Lucy said. “I’m so proud to be part of it.”
The Cardiff Half Marathon may be over, but this team’s spirit and enthusiasm are still going strong — and we can’t wait to see what challenges they take on next.
