105-year-old marathon fundraiser plans to celebrate MBE with champagne
Ruth Saunders was made an MBE after walking 26.2 miles to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance last year.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 105-year-old who walked a marathon to raise money for charity plans to celebrate with champagne after being given a royal honour, adding: “I think I have earned it”.
Ruth Saunders, from Newbury in Berkshire was made an MBE after walking 26.2 miles to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
The centenarian raised more than £39,000, far surpassing her original target of £500.
She said she felt “excited” to receive the honour and “relaxed” in the grand surrounds of Windsor Castle.
It was her second visit to the royal palace, but the first in around 85 years.
When Ms Saunders was 19 and a member of the Red Cross she was presented to Princess Mary the daughter of George V, and recalled: “There was a crowd of us. I was the second one in line because I was a lance corporal then.
“And the Princess Royal the first Princess Royal came along the line and had a chat with the head one and me.
“And she had the most perfect blue eyes, I always remember it. And so this is my second experience coming to Windsor Castle.”
She said the current Princess Royal, who was handing out the honours on Wednesday, seemed impressed by her charitable efforts.
After being asked by Anne if she had any future plans, Ms Saunders said she wants to raise more money next year.
“I’m going to do what I can next time,” she said, explaining that she was not going to set a specific target but hoped to do more laps in February 2022 when the weather might have improved.
She said her granddaughter in France had issued the marathon challenge.
Ms Saunders said: “She laughed and said ‘if I can run a marathon’ – because she could – ‘you can walk a marathon’.
“And the gauntlet was thrown down. And so I did it.”
She added the secret to her long life is exercise, lots of vegetables and limiting her alcohol and junk food intake.
“When I was doing the walking, my leg was better and my body seemed better and I was really well and felt well. So it’s exercise that does a lot of it,” she said.
“I don’t drink a lot. I only have a glass of something – champagne.
“I like vegetables and I’ll eat any vegetable. I don’t gorge on cakes or chocolate. I’ll have a little, but not too much.”
Oh her champagne-fuelled celebratory plans, Ms Saunders said: “They might say ‘go on, have another one’. I think I have earned it today.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.