A 43-year-old man is fighting for his life after suffering a cardiac arrest just one mile from the finish line of the London Marathon. Gareth Hopkins, a paramedic with the East of England Ambulance Service, was running in aid of Age UK in tribute to his late grandmother when the devastating incident occurred. He is currently in a critical condition in intensive care at a London hospital.
Support for the Family
A GoFundMe page has been established to provide support for his family. His friend James Pearson wrote: "While the future remains uncertain, we continue to stay hopeful and positive. This sudden and devastating event has had a profound impact on Gareth's wife, Jodie, their young children, his parents, and his brother."
Pearson added: "Gareth has dedicated the past 20 years to serving others as a paramedic. Throughout his career, he has always been committed to helping people in their time of need. Many friends, family, and colleagues have kindly asked how they can support Gareth and his family during this incredibly difficult time. In response, we have set up this page to help ease some of the financial and practical pressures while Gareth receives treatment in London."
Running for a Cause
Gareth took part in the marathon alongside his brother Chris. The pair were running in honour of their grandmother Tricia Petts, who passed away in January 2025 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's and dementia. Gareth, from Hoddesdon, took up running in late August. Prior to the race, he told the BBC: "I've never done any exercise for five years. I don't go to the gym; I'm not a runner. I watched Chris do it last year... and I thought 'I can probably do that.'"
He expressed his determination to complete the marathon "regardless" after losing a stone in weight and preparing for the 26-mile challenge. Speaking to The Comet in March, Gareth explained: "My career has shown me how much a little support can change a life, and my nan's journey showed me how much we need to do to fight dementia. This is a massive personal challenge for me. Until recently, I didn't exercise at all. I started 'Couch to 5K' last year and found it incredibly tough. Going from that to 26.2 miles is daunting, but after watching my brother and friends complete the marathon last year, I knew I had to try."
Marathon Fundraising
This year's London Marathon, held in the capital last Sunday, generated at least £87.5 million for charitable causes. More than £22,300 has been contributed to the GoFundMe campaign to support Gareth's family following the incident.
