I’m incredibly fortunate to be running the London Marathon this year — a race that feels personal, as London is home. I’m running for ME Research UK. My sister lives with severe ME and is now bedbound, and I’ve seen firsthand how this illness strips away independence and reshapes entire families’ lives. ME affects millions globally yet remains misunderstood and chronically underfunded. As a trustee of the charity, I’m committed to raising awareness and supporting rigorous biomedical research at a time when advances in science and technology give real hope for faster progress.

Training for 26.2 miles is demanding, but I can recover. For someone with severe ME, a handful of everyday tasks can trigger profound debilitation — for many, every day is an endurance event. If you’re able to support, thank you. Awareness drives funding, funding drives research, and research drives change.