I will be running the London Marathon on April 27, 2025 to support the Royal Air Forces Association [RAFA] and made a commitment to raise money to provide care and support to serving and retired members of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth, and their dependents. The RAFA offers a variety of services including: mental and physical health support, financial assistance, and help with social isolation.

This event holds a deeper significance for me, as it echoes the commitment and valor evident in my family’s longstanding military service. My Dad, my best friend and my hero was assigned to his first active-duty unit at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona in February 1968. He was reassigned in May 1968 to the 37th Combat Support Group based at Phucat Air Force Base in the Republic of South Vietnam. After a one-year tour of duty in the Vietnam War my Dad was assigned to McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. My Dad was honorably discharged in May 1971 at which time he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve. He started his family 9 months later, that is when I was born. I was beside my Dad learning every day until he unexpectedly passed away at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020. He taught me to be the independent woman I am today which has guided me through leadership roles in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. I ran the Air Force Half Marathon in Ohio in 2019 and gave my race medal to my Dad because I wanted him to know how much I appreciated his service in the military; that medal was cremated with my Dad. I come from a family of military service men [grandparents, uncles, cousins, my Dad and my brother]. My brother served in the Army and was assigned to Iraq shortly after the attack on the World Trade Center on 09/11/2001. Currently, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder from the war in Iraq. Most people do not understand the impact of war on our soldiers but, I do know based on what I observe when they return home. I am blessed to be here today because of the courage my family had to serve their country. I want to be part of a fundraising team to support a mission supporting our soldiers.

I am committed to raising £2500. While I have just begun scratching the surface, I am optimistic that together we can reach, if not exceed, this goal. It saddens me deeply when I think about the struggles faced by many brave men and women who served our nation, and their families, dealing with mental and physical challenges or even social isolation. RAFA does remarkable work in providing support, whether it is through mental health services, financial assistance, or simply a compassionate community.

Your support means the world to me, and more importantly, to every individual and family whose life you will touch with your generosity. Please make a donation and support this cause close to our hearts. Let’s make it happen!