Horatio’s Garden holds a unique place in Eton’s heart. In 2011, Horatio Chapple, a pupil in Cotton Hall boarding house, was killed in a terrible accident whilst on an expedition in Svalbard. Before his untimely death, Horatio had volunteered at a spinal care unit in Salisbury and wondered how the lives of patients could be improved through access to an outdoor space. The charity established in his memory is on a mission to create ‘beautiful gardens in NHS spinal injury centres to support everyone affected by spinal injury’.
Press Officer Bertie Low met Year 13 pupil Ed Cozens who is running the London Marathon to raise money for Horatio’s Garden.
So, why a marathon? Running seemed an ideal way for Ed to maintain his fitness whilst also helping a charity with whom he has worked in the past. Last year, COVID-19 forced him to run a half-marathon around his garden. This time, London here he comes!
For Ed, raising awareness is as important as raising money. “I don’t have a massive personal link, but I find their work amazing” he said, “sadly, it’s surprising how few people know what the charity does”. He began his crusade this term, giving assemblies to Year 9, 10 and 11 pupils to tell them about his mammoth undertaking. The results have been positive, he’s received emails from several pupils expressing interest not just in the marathon, but also the charity. You can read more about their work here https://www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/.
With summer assessments coming up, balancing revision and training is an extraordinary feat. Ed explained two tricks up has his sleeve. First, setting specific times for revision and secondly weaving his training into his everyday life. “I run up to Dorney Lake to coach, so it’s not intensive training at the moment, more just ticking over”. After the upcoming half term and the end of exams, he’s got a plan worked out to prepare for the marathon in October.
Mr. Gregg, Deputy Head Pastoral and a trustee of Horatio’s Garden, has also been a great help. He had the idea of targeted assemblies and has organised a collection in Lower Chapel. You can find the link to Ed’s Virgin Money page here, and I’m sure both he and Horatio’s Garden would be delighted to receive a small donation to help him reach his stellar goal of £3,000 – https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=EdCozens2&pageUrl=1
