Linda Kennedy, Mt Crosby, running in Ipswich Hospital Foundation event Park2Park 2021 in memory of late husband Nigel Ricketts

‘He was breathing funny. He threw his hands in the air like he couldn’t breathe and was in severe pain but couldn’t speak.’

Only one sleep remains before a cluster of runners take Ipswich by storm in the name of a good cause.

The region’s biggest fun run, the Park2Park, is in its 17th year raising money for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation.

Linda Kennedy will be among hundreds of other runners on Sunday morning, as participants assemble to complete a course across the city.

Having vowed to participate in the Park2Park event every year, the Mount Crosby woman is hitting the pavement with a special goal in mind.

“I want to thank the people that worked on (my husband) that night at the Ipswich Hospital,” Ms Kennedy said.

“They treated him so nicely.”

Starting shoot as participants begin their run in the 2019 Park2Park.

Ms Kennedy’s husband Nigel Ricketts was a keen runner and fit but, on June 29, 2019, tragedy struck.

“We sit down to have some lunch, a barbecue lunch with some friends about 1.10pm.

“About 2.40am, he was dead.”

Tragically, Mr Ricketts passed away at 56, after suffering from a heart attack.

“It was the worst night of my life, as you would imagine,” Ms Kennedy said.

“You think of the life we had planned together and he was just gone. No warning.”

The pair had met online through a dating website and had been married less than two years when Mr Ricketts suffered his heart attack.

“We celebrated our first wedding anniversary but couldn’t celebrate our second,” Ms Kennedy said.

“Him and I were the best buddies and I lost my best buddy.

“We were so compatible, a good team – we were a perfect match.”

Since Mr Ricketts’ death, Ms Kennedy said she had never stopped thinking about how her husband was treated at Ipswich Hospital.

“I remember cuddling him and I said (to the nurses) he would hate it because it was so cold,” she said.

“The nurse went and got a heated, weighted blanket and put it on him and said, ‘there you go, handsome’.

“I’ve never stopped thinking about the hospital and the ways I can give back.

“I want to make it a part of (Nigel’s) legacy to say thank you and how I’ve never forgotten what they have done.”

So far, Ms Kennedy has raised more than $2000 for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, four times over her initial goal figure.

“I don’t like asking people to donate but I’ll do it every year,” she said.

“Even if it’s something small, even if it’s just me donating $200 each year, it all adds up.”

To donate, visit Ms Kennedy’s Park2Park fundraising page here.

Money raised funds local medical research.

Ipswich Hospital Foundation Park2Park 2021 event details:

WHEN: The main event is on Sunday, July 25, from as early as 6.15am.

WHERE: Events start and take place around parks in Ipswich, depending on the event.

WHAT: Participants can choose between events, including a half marathon, 10km, 5km, 2.5km and family challenge obstacle course. To register, visit the Park2Park website.

Read more news by Ebony Graveur here.