A year and a half ago I was lucky enough to have the best marathon support team ever. Sarah and her wonderful daughter Lottie came to cheer me on in Blackpool. That weekend, Lottie stole my heart. She was kind, funny - no hilarious, intelligent, strong and brought warmth and laughter to every situation. Whether it be wishing every runner at the start of the race good luck, asking me to run wearing her fitbit, telling me about succeeding in a difficult trampolining move, dancing and doing gymnastics with her equally amazing brother, Archie or explaining and asking ethical questions about her R.E homework. She was simply a delight and knowing her has reminded me that the future looks good as there are young women like Lottie who will go on and achieve great things. Tragically, the world lost Lottie a few weeks later.I had promised Lottie that I would run another marathon and do it in under 4hrs 30 mins. Covid has stopped all races for the time being and so to honour Lottie i have set myself a different challenge. Between now and December 22nd I am going to walk and run 2288 km.This is the distance between my home in Matoshinos and my home in East Lound. Covid has stopped many things; getting home to see family and friends, live music, theatre and so much more. Lottie had a great passion for theatre. She was a fully fledged member of the Duke's youth theatre. She joined at the age of 7 and was part of a performance on what turned out to be her last evening with her family. Lottie was hugely theatrical and loved theatre. But she also felt very passionately that every child should have the opportunity (regardless of resources) to take part in drama lessons and benefit from the confidence that these instill.

Lottie's trust will fund places for children to attend youth theatre at the Dukes and hopefully gain vital communication skills and the confidence to speak out, work in teams and value the beauty of creativity and theatre.