As many of you know I ran the London Marathon in 2025 in celebration of my 50th birthday year and to raise money for a charity close to my heart. On the eve of the marathon this year I decided to enter the ballot for 2026 safe in the knowledge that no one ever gets a ballot place! Yet here I am!

As a ballot place holder there is no obligation to raise any money for charity but when I stumbled across Holly’s Heroes story on my Facebook feed, I knew I wanted them to be my reason “why” for the London Marathon 2026.

Holly’s Heroes is a small local children’s cancer charity set up only in February this year. Their story is below.

Holly's Heroes is a charity born from the heartbreaking journey of a young girl who showed us the true power of joy, even in the darkest of times. We are here to support children and their families affected by cancer, offering experiences that bring fleeting moments of happiness and lasting memories amidst their battle.

Holly West was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer. During her courageous fight, we saw firsthand how a moment of joy, a simple smile, or a shared laugh could brighten her world, even as she faced the harshest realities. Tragically, we lost Holly in October 2024, at just 14 years old, a reminder of how fleeting life can be.

In February 2025, we founded Holly's Heroes as a registered charity to continue her legacy and ensure that other children fighting cancer can experience the same light and joy that Holly was so fortunate to feel. Holly's strength, her laughter, and her unwavering hope have inspired us to give back, to be the heroes that so many charities were for us during her battle.

Our mission is simple, yet profound: to bring moments of happiness, fun, and hope to children and families affected by cancer. We strive to offer experiences that create lasting memories, not just for the children but for their families, so that even in their hardest moments, they can find a spark of light. We do this to honour Holly's spirit, her resilience, and the joy she shared with us all, even in the most difficult days.

Holly may be gone, but her legacy lives on. With each smile we bring, with each memory we create, we are reminded that even in the shadow of loss, love and joy can still bloom. Holly's Heroes is here to ensure that no child ever has to fight alone, and that every moment of happiness we give is a tribute to the brave soul we lost too soon.

Thank you.

Anna and Holly’s Heroes 🦋 🦋