From Couch to 5k and beyond – mum runs half marathon for Hostage International

A mum of three is taking on the Great Bristol Run on 11 May 2025 to raise funds for Hostage International.

Georgia Ladbury was, until last year, a self-professed ‘non-runner’, more likely to be found singing than running in her spare time. However, Georgia was inspired to run by the parents of ultramarathon runner, Ed Catmur, who died aged 41 and with whom she had sung alongside for many years in the City of London Choir (CLC).

At Ed’s memorial service, with music sung by CLC, Ed’s parents had encouraged anyone who hadn’t run before to do their local parkrun in his memory. Georgia took up the challenge by starting with Couch to 5k, then parkrun, moved onto running 10k, and is now running this half marathon for Hostage International.

Georgia, who works as a public health professional, said: “I needed another challenge after running 10k but to run a half marathon I knew I needed extra motivation.

“I’m not sure when I first heard of Hostage International, but it resonated for this fundraiser as it somehow brought music, running and the charity together.

“I remember Sir Terry Waite saying that Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius was the first thing he heard on a radio, after more than four years in captivity, being performed at the Proms. I knew how powerful and beautiful the piece is because I had sung it with CLC many years earlier, when Ed was still with us. But I can only begin to imagine what it would feel like to hear such music – being broadcast live from your home country – when cut off for so long from the outside world, and from your loved ones at home.

“I want to show my support for all those innocent people caught up in geopolitical events -through no fault of their own – by running to raise funds and awareness for Hostage International.

“I like the fact that it is a non-political charity that seems to work below the radar, quietly getting on with providing support to anyone who needs it.”

Please support Georgia here: https://ajbellgreatbristolrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/georgia-runs-for-hostage-international

May 2025