Hi,

I’m running the 2026 London Marathon to raise money for the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), a charity that helps create and support integrated schools across Northern Ireland.

The last (and only) time I ran a marathon was 10 years ago in Belfast, after which I confidently said “never again.” Turns out pain really does have no memory… although as the marathon gets closer, mine is definitely starting to return!!

As a former student of Shimna Integrated College, Integrated Education is something I truly believe in and something that has shaped me into the person I am today. For me, integrated education isn’t defined by who sits in the classroom, but by the ethos and environment it creates. It promotes inclusion, celebrates diversity, and values individual identities. It encourages pupils to learn with and from one another, and to build relationships that reflect the kind of shared future Northern Ireland deserves.

The IEF works to make that experience possible for more young people. They support parents, schools and communities who want their children to learn together, not apart. They help develop more Integrated schools to build a future where inclusion isn’t the exception, it’s the norm - every day, side by side in the classroom.

My goal is to raise £2,000 to support that work. If you’re able to donate, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every pound helps, and every mile I run will be for a cause that truly matters to me.

Thank you for supporting me, the IEF, and the future of integrated education.