In April 2026, I will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for a cause extremely important to me. As a child I used to experience what’s known as tics often caused by excitement or tiredness but as I grew up it was also due to stress, anxiety and grief. Therefore, after a difficult year back in 2023 I was diagnosed with Tourettes syndrome which causes me to experience involuntary movements and sounds. It is something I have kept private and it took a lot for me to begin to speak about it as it is one of the most misunderstood conditions, stereotyped by "swearing" and "shouting." But it is not just that. It's so much more and it affects so many people in so many different ways. It can be funny but it can be really difficult to live with on a daily basis especially as there is no cure.

The charity im supporting helps individuals with Tourettes syndrome feel understood, make friends, experience things that they may not have had the confidence to do but overall just feel less isolated. I told myself when I signed up for this marathon that I would face my fears (because I definitely am scared) and take on something that requires a lot of patience and motivation (eek) but not only that, something that requires me to tell my story and not be so afraid of the thing that is present in my life everyday. I'm still the same person as l have been my whole life, my friends can tell you that but now I just have a little extra thing. Thank you.