Our Big Secret is Out!

After a lot of thought, Freya and I have decided… we’re running the London Marathon 2026 together — for Whizz Kidz! 🏃‍♀️👩‍🦽‍➡️💚

I always said I wouldn’t run the London Marathon for charity again, but this time is different. Freya has dreamed of completing a marathon, and I want to help her achieve that. When the ballot didn’t go our way, she asked me to do Brighton — but I said no (nothing worse than running back on yourself!).

In 2024, Freya took on the Robin Hood Half Marathon in the wake of unimaginable loss, after her friend tragically died in a fatal road traffic collision. In the depths of grief, she chose to turn her pain into purpose, running in their memory and raising money for a charity that meant so much to her friend.

This was no small feat. Freya pushed herself forward despite her own ongoing health challenges, despite having many other causes she could have supported. Her decision was a deeply selfless one — driven by love, loyalty, and the determination to honour her friend in a meaningful way.

That run became more than a single event. It marked the beginning of a journey. Inspired by what she had already overcome, Freya set her sights on an even greater challenge: completing a full marathon. For her, the London Marathon represents not just a race, but a tribute — a continuation of running with purpose, remembrance, and hope.

The truth is, with Freya’s health, we don’t know if she’ll be well enough in a couple of years to take on this challenge. This is a bucket list goal for her, and together we’re determined to make it happen while raising funds for a cause close to our hearts.

Whizz Kidz give children and young adults the mobility equipment they need to live independently. Not all children qualify for an NHS wheelchair — and even when they do, as we saw recently with Freya’s broken one, it can be far from perfect. Whizz Kidz step in where the system can’t.

Freya has relied on a wheelchair for most of her life and understands how essential the right equipment is to living independently. She also knows that many children and young adults are not as fortunate — the NHS often cannot provide wheelchairs that meet their individual needs.

This is why Freya and I are fundraising. Every donation will help ensure that young people who rely on wheelchairs can access the equipment they need, giving them greater independence, dignity, and quality of life. Your support can make a real and immediate difference.

Our fundraising target is a huge £4200 between us. We know times are tough and many of you have supported us before, but every donation — big or small — will help us change lives.

Follow our training… powered by snacks, chaos, and springers who refuse to be left behind 🐶🏃‍♂️

Please help us get to the start line and give more young people the freedom they deserve.

Our friend Emma Haskey has been lucky enough to receive a ballot place in the London Marathon. This will be her very first marathon, and incredibly, Emma has kindly offered to run in support of myself and Freya to help us raise money towards our target.

Donate here → https://www.justgiving.com/page/fiona-cook-freya-cook2026?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Update 10.03.26

As part of our fundraising, we have organised events, such as a bingo night and quiz night.

BINGO NIGHT - 29.03.26 1600 Havana Blue, Hucknall

QUIZ NIGHT - 16.04.26 1900 Havana Blue, Hucknall

Virtual 5k or 10k walk/run/push - 12th - 19th April

Alongside these we are holding a raffle and have lots of prizes available to win, which have kindly been donated by local business.

Raffle tickets - £1 a strip.

Easter hamper raffle - £1 a strip.

Guess how many (mini) eggs in the jar - £1 a guess.

Raffle tickets - £1 a strip

Prizes available to win:

Truly Scrumptious- 4 items from the Scrumshed

Go local – Gordon’s cherry gin

RR hair & beauty – voucher

Levanas hair & beauty – 2 x vouchers

Arc cinema Hucknall – 2 tickets

Spelt & Rye - £10 gift voucher

Severn butchers - £20 gift voucher

The Beauty Garden – gift voucher

Trent bridge - vouchers

Just the tonic comedy club – 2 x tickets

Teamwork Karting – 4 x laser quest tickets

EJ coaching - 1:1 session

Tiptop cleaning – 2hr house clean

Broad view riding school – 1 hr lesson

Clip n climb – 2 vouchers

Ballers & Hackers – golf activity

The Tee house – 2 x carveries

The pudding pantry – voucher

Vauxhall repair centre Ltd – mot test

Rhubarb & ginger gin liqueur

Sambuca

Various smellies including :

Soap n glory gift sets

No 7 skincare collections

Superdry gift set

T M Logan x2 signed books

Richard Whitehead signed vest - 50th vest from 100 marathon challenge

Separate raffle – half price C1 course from Tom Leonard’s driving school - £10 per entry

Thank you for your kindness and support,

Fiona & Freya xx

Whizz Kidz is the UK's leading charity supporting young wheelchair users up to 25 years old. More than 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile. Most have no access to a wheelchair that’s right for them, leaving them at risk of social isolation, poor mental health and physical injury.

Whizz Kidz provide the right equipment, skills and confidence young wheelchair users need to go further, whilst campaigning for a more open and accessible society.

Every donation will get Whizz Kidz closer to their vision of a society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.