In April 2027, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon and raising money for Rape Crisis England & Wales.

Some of you may already know my story, but for those who don't, in 2013 I was raped by my best friend's then fiancé in the home they shared together. For a long time afterwards, I carried what had happened to me without knowing the true extent of the harm he had caused to other women too, including my friend.

In 2021, I reported him to the police. Alongside other incredibly brave women, including my once friend, (who is now very much my best friend once more, my soul sister in fact!). And in 2023 he was found guilty and imprisoned for a minimum of six years and an Order for Lifelong Restriction. Our story is told in the documentary Lover, Liar, Predator on BBC iPlayer.

Speaking publicly about something so deeply personal wasn't easy, but I did it because silence protects perpetrators far more than it protects survivors. What happened to me will always be part of my story, but I don't want the harm one man caused to be the end of that story. In the wake of so much harm caused by one person, I want to do everything I can to put some good back into the world.

That is why I'm running 26.2 miles for Rape Crisis England & Wales who

- Raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence and abuse in all its forms.

- Advocates for systems change to create better responses in justice, health, education and across society

- Ensure that specialist support is available, the kind of support that can be a lifeline when somebody is trying to make sense of something that should never have happened to them.

I can't undo what he did to me or to the other women he harmed. But I can choose what I do next. And if something positive can grow from something that caused so much pain, then I want to make it as big as I possibly can!

So, on April 24th 2027, I'll be running for survivors.

For the women who have spoken.

For the women who haven't been able to yet.

For the women still trying to understand what happened to them.

For the women rebuilding their lives.

And for a future where no survivor has to do that alone.

If you are able to donate, whether it's £1, £5 or £50, THANK YOU! Every single donation will help Rape Crisis England & Wales continue their vital work supporting women and girls.

And if you can't donate, sharing my page means just as much.

I will post regular updates of my journey, thank you for being part of it.

Shannon x