In 2026 I celebrate a milestone birthday with a 0 at the end. The last time that happened I took up running (literally 3 months before the start of the year that would end in a 0!)

I wanted to enjoy my last year in my 30’s with a wish to raise money for charity, learn a new skill and raise awareness of being a plus sized runner. Oh and running 1000km in a year.

It therefore seems fitting to do something equally epic based around running for this milestone birthday especially given all that’s happened since then. I’ve reconnected with friends, made new friends and had the opportunity run in some amazing races.

So this time it needs to be bigger, bolder and I want to continue to raise awareness for a charity so close to my heart having been able to see their work first hand in Sierra Leone in 2022

So before the end of 2026 when my age will have ticked around with another 0 I am going to be running:

Berlin Marathon 2025 (September 18th)

Tokyo Marathon 2026 (March 2026)

Sydney Marathon 2026 (August 2026 and weekend closest to my “0” birythday!)

Sierra Leone 2026 (October 2026)

So revisiting the 3 marathon, 3 continent challenge for Street Child once again! These are all tough runs for me for their own reasons, both Berlin and Tokyo have very strict cut offs with total times I have yet to achieve so loads of training for me to do. (Just got to squeeze some extra out the tank)

Except now I can confirm it will be a 4 marathon and 4 continent challenge having agreed a place for Sydney!!

The reason for this is all about a boy, called “M” who I met in Sierra Leone. His greatest wish was to become a social worker for Street Child because of the huge difference they’d made in his, and so many other children and families lives that he knew. They work in the most challenging of places, and for over 15 years have been ensuring young people in over 25 countries in the world get access to the education that will make a difference to their, and their families, life chances.

The only way I’d like to celebrate my milestone birthday is to raise a significant amount to make the chance for “M” just one step more possible.

Please, if you’d like to help me celebrate reaching that milestone then a donation to Street Child will make the difference.

Street Child's purpose is to see all children safe, in school and learning - even, and especially, in low-resource environments and emergencies.

We work with an expanding network of 95+ local organisations for lasting impact in 20 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.