I’m Running My First Marathon—For Carla, and for an Incredible Cause

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On April 27, 2025, I’ll be taking on the huge challenge of running my first-ever London Marathon—but this is about so much more than just 26.2 miles.

I’m running for The Ups of Downs, a charity that has had a profound impact on someone very special to me: Carla. Carla is my good friend’s daughter, and she is an absolute ray of sunshine. She is kind, funny, determined, and full of life. Seeing her grow and thrive has been incredible, and I’ve also seen firsthand just how much The Ups of Downs has supported her and her family every step of the way.

This amazing charity provides specialist Speech and Language Therapy, Physio, Early Years development support, and so much more. But beyond the practical support, they offer something priceless—a strong, loving community for children with Down syndrome and their families. They ensure that every child, like Carla, gets the opportunities, care, and encouragement they deserve.

That’s why this race means so much to me. It’s not just about the challenge of running a marathon; it’s about giving back to a charity that has given so much to Carla and so many other children.

It also feels incredibly special to be following in my Dad’s footsteps—literally! He ran the London Marathon in 1988, finishing in just over four hours with nothing but sheer determination, a questionable carb-loading strategy (one plate of pasta—job done), and whatever water he could grab along the way. No gels, no GPS watches, no pacing strategies—just old-school grit. Now it’s my turn… and I’ll be taking full advantage of modern marathon science!

I won’t pretend I’m not nervous. 26.2 miles is a long way, especially with one ceramic hip and another on its way out! But whenever it gets tough, I’ll be thinking of Carla and the incredible work this charity does—because that’s what really matters.

My goal is to raise £2,500, and every single pound will go directly to The Ups of Downs, helping them continue their life-changing work. If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, I would be beyond grateful. Thank you so much for your support—it truly means the world to me, to Carla, and to so many other children who rely on this incredible charity.