On the 21st April 2024 I will be running my first ever marathon. I am thrilled that I will be running the London Marathon for WeSeeHope – a charity very close to mine and my family’s hearts and who we have been involved with for many years. I have seen how even a small donation can make an enormous difference to the lives of vulnerable children in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Through community-led and skills-based programmes WeSeeHope are committed to creating sustainable and long term change. Focusing primarily on education, child rights and economic empowerment, their aim is that vulnerable children have the skills to change their own futures, and that their families and communities are able to support them along the way.

Running a marathon is a challenge I never thought I would have the opportunity to be doing. Having suffered from ME in my teen and early adult life, running a marathon is something I never really thought possible. However 6 years ago I decided to run the Race for Life with and for my mum who was having treatment for bowel cancer. With the encouragement of family and friends I started doing park runs and it wasn’t long before I had well and truly caught the running bug. I did the Race for Life with my amazing mum and this is something I will always remember. Sadly my mum passed away the following year. It’s very special to be running the marathon for a charity that meant so much to her particularly after she went to Uganda and Kenya and visited some of the projects. I have wanted to run the London marathon for several years but it was my husband James who eventually gave me the push to apply.

I would be so grateful for any support you can give me – your donation really will make a huge difference to children in east Africa. It will also be a massive encouragement to me both on the day and over the next few months of training.

Thanks so much for reading my story.