Zubeda's completes London Marathon to raise money for Tickled Pink charity partner

A huge well done to checkouts colleague Zubeda Dawjee from our Dewsbury store who ran the London Marathon and raised £4,853 for Breast Cancer Now, one of the charity partners of our Tickled Pink appeal.

Forty-five-year-old Zubeda completed the race – her first ever marathon – in four hours and ten minutes, and says she's overwhelmed by the support she's received.

She said: "My target was £2,000 so to have raised so much is amazing. I can't thank people enough for sponsoring me and rallying round. My colleagues at Asda Dewsbury have been so supportive."

Keen runner Zubeda, who's worked at the store for nearly three years, always gets behind our Tickled Pink appeal which is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. It raises money and awareness for Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!

She said: "As soon as it's Tickled Pink time I'm there buying the T-shirts. Breast cancer is a cause that's very personal to me and has affected one of my closest friends, Mariam.

"She is a healthy and active fitness instructor who has always looked after herself and others. As she so eloquently put it, "What did I do wrong? What did I eat bad? What should I have done not to get cancer? But as we know cancer can happen to anyone. It's something that really touches my heart and makes me determined to help make a difference."

Zubeda spent months training for the marathon and, despite a few injuries on the way, was determined to still take part.

She said: "I loved every single minute of the marathon. It was as if the whole of London was there. When I saw the crowds it was like 'wow, where have they all come from?' I've never seen so many people.

"I remember watching the London Marathons when I was a kid and seeing all the runners on London Bridge and I got goosebumps. So when I got on there it was such a memory and I had to take my phone out to take a photo.

"My husband, Mohammed, came to support me and I've got a lot of family in London who all came to support me too. I'll never forget it."

Here's a link for anyone who'd like to sponsor Zubeda:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=1275505