Annie and I met in 2005 when we were both pregnant with our first babies. We were introduced by my mum who knew Annie and both knew we were having girls who were due 3 weeks apart.

Annie gave birth to Elise on her due date in January 2006 and my daughter Calisa followed exactly 3 weeks later in February 2006.

We were inseparable. Young mums aged 17 and 19 respectively, we leaned on each other for support and together our children grew up being best friends and still are. Annie and I often referred to them as more like sisters than just friends! Annie and I were there for each other during the good and bad!

In 2018 Annie fell pregnant with her son Zak. As a midwife and her friend she asked if I could care for her in labour with him. Of course my answer was yes. Zak didn’t make an appearance during the 14 hours she was in labour with him but was born not long after I had left her in the morning having spent all night with her - it was emotional to say the least and a night I won’t ever forget! She later asked me to be god mother to Zak, having already been Elise’s godmother and her godmother to my daughter Calisa. Of course I was again, honoured.

Annie had been camping with her children and mum in August 2023 when returning home had a head on collision with a drunk, suicidal driver. Annie was attended to by East Anglian air ambulance and taken promptly to Addenbrookes where she had sustained multiple injuries. Being the small but mighty fighter that she was, she held on and fought before she sadly passed away on 29th September 2023 aged just 35.

Annie was a special friend, she was the one who encouraged me to start running in the first place and it was thanks to her that my love for running began in 2010 after her encouragement. If it wasn’t for her I probably wouldn’t be a runner now.

After discussing it with her mum I applied for a ballot place - in which I was unsuccessful.

However! I have been successful in securing a place running for the East Anglian Air Ambulance! I’ve always been a huge believer in fate and I just know this was all meant to be. I wanted to do something to honour Annie’s memory that would mean so much to her family. Running in memory of Annie will be what helps me to get round, knowing that so many more people would benefit from the money I can raise so they too can receive timely treatment in the correct place.

The TCS London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress. Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course – which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.

In 2025, I will be taking it on and will be supporting East Anglian Air Ambulance!

East Anglian Air Ambulance receives no regular government funding and relies entirely on the support of the community.

The crews are tasked an average of 7 times a day across the two bases, with each mission costing around £3,750. They can reach anywhere in the region within 25 minutes when every second can make the difference to a patient in their time of need.

Thank you so much for supporting me, every penny will help to save lives across East Anglia and I am so grateful!