On 26 April 2026 me and my wife Jeanette will be running the London Marathon in support of Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity. This will be my first London Marathon.

My family has over recent years had firsthand experience of the amazing service that the NHS and specifically Derby & Burton Hospital provide. I really want to give something back in thanks to the incredible care we’ve received, particularly from both the Macmillan Nightingale Unit and Dolphin Ward.

Mum passed away from ovarian cancer just under four years ago and spent her final weeks on the Macmillan Unit and I cannot begin to explain how incredible the nurses and staff were, particularly given that this coincided with the COVID pandemic. In such testing times the staff went above and beyond ensuring mum at least got to see her two one-year old grandchildren one last time in a capacity that the regulations allowed, whilst also taking mum’s handprints after she had passed given that we never got to properly to do that in the circumstances.

Mum was my biggest supporter at races and having the opportunity to run London, a race she always wanted to see me do in support of some of the people who comforted her in her final days is a great honour.

At just three-weeks old my son Oscar was admitted to A & E and ultimately Dolphin Ward with suspected meningitis. Again, in what was an incredibly scary time the staff on that ward were amazing, doing everything they could to help and reassure and support us. Particularly supporting my wife who had to spent over a week away from my other son who was at the time just three.

I’ve been a runner for over 20 years but completing a further marathon will be my toughest challenge yet though given that I broke my ankle last July (again receiving amazing care at the RDH!) which has proven a log testing road back to recovery both physically and mentally.

If you’re able to, please make a small donation using the link. All proceeds go towards an amazing cause, enabling them to offer a wide range of services to patients and their families.