In 2026, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon in support of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.

It’s my very first marathon, and to be honest, the thought of it is both exciting and daunting. Last year, I ran the Cambridge Half Marathon, and when I crossed the finish line, I couldn’t have managed another 100 metres. I remember thinking, “How on earth do people run a full marathon?” Well, now I’m about to find out! What I do know is that those dark, cold, wet training runs will feel a little lighter knowing I’m doing this for an incredible cause—Noah’s Ark—an organisation I feel truly privileged to represent.

This charity is particularly close to my heart because of the support it has given to my friend’s daughter, Izzy, and her family.

Izzy is four years old and, at birth, suffered a severe brain injury due to a lack of oxygen. She was diagnosed with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) grade 3—the most severe. Since then, she’s also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, dystonia, and cortical visual impairment. Izzy is non-mobile, non-verbal, and exclusively tube-fed. Despite all of this, her strength, determination and happy nature inspires everyone who knows her.

That’s why I’m asking for your support. Every pound raised will go directly towards Noah’s Ark, helping them continue their vital work for children like Izzy and families like hers. Your donation—big or small—will make a huge difference, and it will carry me through every step of the 26.2 miles ahead.

Jo, Izzy’s mum, shares in her own words below the amazing support and services Noah’s Ark has given since Izzy’s birth.

Whilst most people think of hospices as places of end-of-life care (and that is something Noah's Ark offer so sensitively, and with so many options to help families navigate that), Noah's Ark for us has been a lifeline of joy, support, and hope since we had Izzy 4 years ago. For two years they were the only people and place we could go to that were not medical, clinical appointments and spaces. They provided Izzy music therapy weekly until she went to nursery - that was the first time she showed us all that she can understand and respond to fun, loud, instruments and games. They have given her art lessons, soft play that is safe (and actually clean!), and provided us respite where a nurse comes to our house for an afternoon every few weeks and Izzy laughs her head off the entire time she is here - she's the fourth member of our family. They also have an adapted lodge in Mersea island that families can go and spend a week at to get away from it all - and a place we don't have to worry about steps, sleeping or showering as everything is adapted. Additional to all the above, Noah’s Ark also let Izzy, and other kids like Izzy, stay there for a few weekends a year that allow their parents to get away from caring duties for 48 hours. Without them, we would not have had a night away for 5 years. They are the sole reason we've been able to go to Standon Calling festival with the Goodbody’s (and other brilliant friends), as her care needs are too great to ask family to watch her for long periods of time as she is tube fed and non-mobile so needs highly trained nurses (or her parents) to keep her airways safe. The wrap around care they offer the whole family is invaluable, as much as how much they offer all of the individual children they do so much for.

Please follow my training journey on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chris.londonmarathon2026?igsh=ZWttaXB5NWw1ZG5s