As most of you will remember, back in 2019 I went into hospital for a planned operation. I was born with a condition called Pectus Excavatum, which means that instead of sitting level with my ribs, my breastbone (sternum) was sunken inwards, giving my chest a concave appearance. Growing up, this caused a lot of breathing difficulties, I’d often get out of breath at school during physical activity as my organs were compressed, leaving my lung capacity at just 72% of what it should be. The condition also led to slight scoliosis of my spine.

In 2019, I decided to have corrective surgery, known as the Nuss procedure, to try and make life a bit easier. Unfortunately, it turned out to be far from straightforward and in total I underwent five operations over two hospital stays between July and September at the Leicester Glenfield Hospital. From the metal bar shifting out of place, to suffering from a pericardial effusion and a collapsed lung, my body eventually rejected the bar altogether and it had to be removed, resulting in a stay in Intensive Care.

Since then, I’ve worked hard not to let my condition define me. I've come through it stronger, more determined, and more grateful than ever for the care I received, and have found a passion for exercising. I’ve completed two fundraisers, one where I walked 5km (one kilometre for every operation) for 33 days (one for every day I spent in hospital) back in 2020 and, more recently at the start of 2025, I ran the Leicestershire Half Marathon!

Now, six years on, I feel ready to take on my biggest challenge yet: running the London Marathon 2026 for Leicester Hospitals Charity. Being chosen for a charity place means so much to me, my surgeries took place at the Leicester Glenfield Hospital and I’ll never forget the incredible care and kindness I received from the nursing staff there.

My operations are something that have shaped me into the woman I am today, and I am so proud that I can now use my voice and my experience to support young people going through similar experiences. In just a couple of weeks, I’ll be qualifying as a children’s nurse, and I’m so excited to have secured my first job within the Leicester Children’s Hospital. Because of what I went through, I have a real passion for surgical nursing, and I know firsthand how important it is for children who face long hospital stays to feel safe, comfortable and cared for every step of the way.

Sadly, children’s general surgical and paediatric wards don’t always receive as much funding as other specialist areas. This is why I’d love for every penny I raise to go directly towards improving the experience for children on the ward where I’ll be working, from making the space feel more homely and welcoming, to funding activities, play equipment or little comforts that make hospital life that bit brighter. In order to run the marathon, I have to raise a minimum of £3,000 for the charity, so I really would appreciate anything anyone can donate, and I will be looking to host lots of fundraising events to help me get to my target. It would mean so much to give something back and help support children going through surgical procedures like I did.

Running the London Marathon is something I never imagined I’d be able to do, but I want to prove to myself, and to every child who feels limited by their condition, that anything is possible with determination and the right support. Your support will mean the world, not just to me but to the children and families who will benefit directly from it, and to the amazing team I’ll be proud to work alongside every day in the upcoming months. Thank you so much for anything you can give, every donation will help make a real difference to children and families when they need it most.