Simon Raises £15k For Michael Lisnow Respite Centre
On Easter Monday Simon ran his 2nd Boston Marathon raising over £15k for the amazing charity – The Michael Lisnow Respite Centre based in Hopkinton Boston – the start line of the Boston Marathon.
The 2025 Boston Marathon was the 129th official edition of the marathon, held on Monday, April 21, 2025. It is one of now 7 World Marathon Majors and the 2nd of the year after Tokyo which is held in March. A total of 32,080 runners appeared on the official entry list (24,000 chosen based on their performances in qualifying events), an increase from the 29,685 runners on the entry list of the 2024 edition. Entrants came from all 50 U.S. states and 118 countries and Simon was proud to represent this amazing charity for the 2nd year running.
So, a little about the Michael Lisnow Respite Centre……Michael was born in 1986, sixteen weeks premature, weighing just over a pound. He was so small his father’s wedding ring could slide up his arm. The first three months of his life were spent in neonatal intensive care. His chance for survival was only ten percent, yet he lived for ten years. It was a roller coaster ride and the family entered a new world, a world with its own language and culture. When they learned Michael had extensive brain damage and would be blind they wondered how their family would survive. The early years became a series of hopes dashed by reality. He would not walk, he would never talk, he would not see, he would eat through a tube, and he would always have seizures. Their world was turned upside down. At one year old Michael still weighed less than ten pounds. Life was fragile and lonely.
Slowly, Michael’s personality began to grow. It was Michael’s laugh, his joy, and his determination that became the strength of the family. He was the joy of their lives.
He thrived in the local public school and had a wealth of friends. He knew how to love with all his heart. Things always became difficult when Michael would get sick again. Throughout his ten years Michael had seven stomach surgeries. Children’s hospital became a second home.
When Michael was five Sharon Lisnow met Mary, a special education teacher. They shared a vision for creating a place that would provide emotional and physical support for families with children with disabilities.
Many people think the Centre was created in Michael’s memory, but it was actually conceived when Michael was eight and had been healthy for over a year. Their dream became a reality when they were given a parcel of land in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Two years later, as the house was being framed, Michael went into the hospital for what they thought would be an easy surgery. Tragedy struck and Michael did not come home.
Sharon & Mary were blessed to have two local businessmen continue building, knowing that someday their hearts would return to the mission. They received $158,000 in Michael’s memory and the house was completed. Slowly they came back and one year later the Respite Centre was opened, providing care for four families.
Over 20 years later, the Respite Centre has helped hundreds of families, and continues to grow each year. Many see the house as Michael’s legacy, but they believe that the true legacy of Michael is the love and care you find in their home. As each year passes, the sweetness of Michael’s memories grow, and the lessons he taught become clearer.
Simon is honoured to have become one of the family and to be able to support the truly amazing work that Sharon, Mary and the entire team continue to do for the children, adults and families that are in need.
Thank you to everyone that donated – it really means a lot!
