In  April 2027, I’ll be running the London Marathon in support of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). SCIE is a not-for-profit, independent charity that uses its evidence and experience to improve social care for adults and children across the UK. It believes that everyone, regardless of their background, should have access to the social care they need to live with independence, choice and dignity.  

My wife, Ellie, lives with a rare genetic condition that affects her connective tissue. For Ellie, the symptoms of this condition are disabling. It causes her joints to flex and dislocate, which leaves her in excruciating pain. It also affects her blood vessels and puts her at risk of life-threatening bleeding.

Ellie’s condition is fluctuating, and she has to live with the uncertainty of not knowing how she will feel from one day to the next, or what she will be physically able to do. This means she has to carefully plan and adapt the everyday activities that many of us take for granted.

We don’t know what the future holds for our family. Ellie’s condition will likely continue to progress over time.  There is also a 50% chance that our toddler, Marley, will inherit it. That’s why it’s important for us to know that the right support will be available to us if and when we need it.

With the social care system under enormous pressure, raising money for SCIE feels like a small way of helping to secure a better future for families like ours. If you’re able to, I’d be incredibly grateful if you could support my fundraising with a donation. Every contribution, however big or small, will go directly towards improving social care.