Hi everyone,

I’m running the Brighton Marathon in memory of my mum Sandra on Sunday 12th April 2026.

I have previously run 5Ks, 10Ks, and a half marathon, but this will be my first ever full marathon.

My mum was born on 1st February 1958 and sadly passed away on 9th January 2024 after a brave and difficult battle with lung cancer. She was diagnosed in May 2023 and went through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and Gamma Knife Surgery for one major brain tumour and multiple smaller tumours. For a while, we truly believed she was getting better. Sadly, in December 2023, the cancer spread to her back and bones. She was admitted into hospital and heartbreakingly never came home.

Before she became unwell, running was something we shared. We used to run 5Ks and 10Ks together for Cancer Research and Great Ormond Street, until arthritis and hip problems meant she had to stop. During those runs, I always promised her that one day I would attempt a full marathon for her. Although she isn’t here to witness it, I’m running Brighton to keep that promise and to make her proud.

I’m not running for an official charity place, as the pressure of sponsorship targets felt overwhelming, so I’m running this marathon independently. However, if anyone would like to donate, I would love for any money raised to go to Maggie’s West London at Charing Cross Hospital.

Maggie’s was a place of real comfort for my mum. The team were incredibly kind, supportive, and reassuring, and she always felt safe and at ease when she attended sessions there. Maggie’s provides free emotional, practical, and psychological support to people living with cancer and their families, and I can’t think of a better place for any donations to go.

There is absolutely no pressure to donate, your support, encouragement, or even just taking the time to read this means more than you know.

Thank you for helping me honour my mum and carry her with me every step of the way.

Running with love, always.