Books have always been at the heart of my life, but that wasn’t something that came easily. Growing up, my mother worked incredibly hard to make sure my sisters and I always had books for our learning and education, even when money was tight. I remember her finding ways—no matter how difficult our economic situation—to place books in our hands, because she believed in the power of reading and the opportunities it could bring us.

Those sacrifices shaped everything I have achieved since. They led me to graduate twice, to move country twice, to travel the world, and to change careers more than once. At every step, that early love of books gave me the courage and curiosity to keep growing, to do things I never thought possible, and to understand more deeply who I am.

That’s why I’m running the London Marathon 2026 for BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. BookTrust works to ensure that all children—whatever their background—have access to books and the joy of reading. I know first-hand that a single book can change the course of a life. It’s because of my mother’s determination that I am now a writer, a graduate in Creative Writing, and someone deeply passionate about children’s literacy and access to stories.

Running 26.2 miles will be a huge challenge for me, but it’s also a celebration of what books can do: spark resilience, passion, and hope for something better. Every donation to BookTrust is an investment in the future of children—giving them the same chance my mother fought so hard to give me.

Thank you so much for supporting me, for believing in stories, and for helping build a brighter future through books.