A man, Gareth Hopkins, aged 43, is in critical condition at a London hospital after experiencing a cardiac arrest close to the finish line of the London Marathon. He was participating in the marathon for Age UK in honor of his grandmother. A GoFundMe page has been created to provide support for his family during this challenging time.
Gareth, a paramedic with the East of England Ambulance Service, has devoted two decades to serving others. He and his brother Chris were running the marathon to commemorate their grandmother, Tricia Petts, who passed away in 2025 after battling Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Despite not being an avid runner, Gareth trained diligently for the marathon, shedding weight and committing to completing the 26-mile race. His determination was fueled by his personal experiences and the impact of dementia on his family.
This year’s London Marathon, held last Sunday, raised over £87.5 million for charitable causes. In light of the incident, a significant amount has been donated to the GoFundMe page to assist Gareth’s family during this trying time.
