In 2026 I have decided to to run for the incredible cause of Asthma + Lung UK

I will now be running for my mum who has sadly passed away and lost her battle. She will guide me through this training and race.

My mum was the most wonderful, beautiful and brave person I’ve ever known and can’t wait to run in her memory.

I love you so much.

As someone who has suffered with asthma for 14 years and also a severe case of pneumonia at the start of 2024, which affected my day to day life for two months straight, being in and out of hospital, struggling to do everyday activities, and even including attending university.

1 in 5 of us will develop a lung condition during our lifetime. There's a new diagnosis every minute.

I would like to prove to myself that even with asthma, incredible experiences such as the Hackney half can be done, and I can hopefully thrive while doing it.

Growing up my mum always told me about all the half marathons her and my uncle would take part in, ice skating for Australia and always being part of an athletics club growing up. Since then she has developed serious lung diseases which have left her on an oxygen machine 24 hours of the day and with limited mobility. I figured its about time I tried to accomplish something she has done herself (hopefully beating her time while at it).

Just £24 could support a researcher at the start of their career to carry out an hour of lung health research.

This is for all the times I posted on Strava with a picture of me running and my asthma pump always in my hand

It’s finally my go to raise money, supporting many other families going through the same thing I am going through.

Let’s do this !!!

Thank you for everyone’s support

Helen xxx