Here we go again…

This year I ran the London Marathon and raised £2817.35 for Spinal Research! So to beat this next year, I’ve decided to run 3 marathons, over 3 months, in 3 different countries!

Starting off with Paphos on the 28th February

Next is Rome on the 14th March

The grand finale is London on the 25th April

I’m running in support of Spinal Research, an incredible charity carrying out groundbreaking research into life-changing treatments for people with spinal cord injuries. Every two hours, someone in the UK becomes paralysed. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and in an instant, lives are changed forever. A spinal cord injury doesn’t just affect the ability to walk — it can impact movement, sensation, breathing, continence, and so much more.

My biggest inspiration for this challenge is my dad.

My dad has something wrong with pretty much every part of his spine. He lives with degenerative disc disease, cauda equina syndrome, degenerative cervical myelopathy, thoracic stenosis, and arthritis throughout his spine. Over the years he’s already had five major spinal surgeries, with more likely in the future.

Before all of this, my dad was a Royal Marine. Later, he went on to live his dream—running his own business taking people out on boat and fishing trips. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t sit still, doesn’t complain, and doesn’t ever do things by halves. Hard work is his default setting. Resting? Not his strong point.

Recently, he made the incredibly difficult decision to stop working to protect what’s left of his health. Watching someone who has always been so independent, stubborn, and driven have to slow down and rely on others has been heartbreaking.

The reality of spinal conditions like his is devastating. There’s only so much surgery can do. There’s currently no way to reverse the damage, and while medical research is advancing all the time, the options are limited. Doctors have told us that eventually, paralysis is a very real possibility.

He’s already experienced this twice. Due to his cauda equina syndrome, my dad has had three episodes of paralysis, both requiring emergency surgery. Seeing him in that much pain, losing feeling in parts of his body, and struggling to do simple things he once took for granted has been awful. He was always so active—always moving, lifting, fixing, doing—and this condition is slowly taking that part of him away.

My dad is my biggest inspiration in life. He’s selfless to his core, even when he’s in pain, and still worries more about everyone else than himself. Watching him go through this makes me feel helpless—but running this marathon is one thing I can do.

I’m running for my dad. I’m running for everyone living with spinal conditions. And I’m running in the hope that continued research will lead to better treatments, better outcomes, and one day, real solutions.

This is why Spinal Research is so important.

Their mission is to advance spinal research with the ultimate goal of curing paralysis. The work they do is vital — and it simply wouldn’t be possible without funding. I want to do everything I can to support their mission, but I can’t do it alone. If you’re able to donate, share, or support in any way, it would mean more than I can put into words. Thank you for helping me turn something painful into something hopeful. #TeamSpinal