Team Sally Army is taking on the TCS London Marathon 2026, raising funds to support The Salvation Army's vital work every step of the way.

Sooo…. I finally have the chance to run the London Marathon after a good few years of trying to get in and have the privilege of raising funds for a charity very close to my heart.

I feel very fortunate to have been brought up in the Salvation Army as a church, with a focus on serving those in need and sharing the message of Jesus Christ.

Over the years, I have watched and supported many members of my family fundraise for this amazing organising and seen the impact of this fundraising on the communities they serve.

I come from a very musical family and a lot of fundraising we have participated in for the Salvation Army has come from concerts, CD’s and carolling.

However, when lockdown hit in 2020, I got invited to complete 5k for the NHS. I went out for a run with my neighbour and completed it. I was struggling with not being able to see my family who live quite far away and found that running as well as the physical was able to give me time to just think, reflect and process everything.

Running proved invaluable to me again in 2021 when our son got diagnosed with Perthes Disease and had to undergo a series of operations and life felt like it changed dramatically over night. It made me really think about not taking anything in life for granted.

The support from friends and family, both from within The Salvation Army and beyond at that time was also key in getting through a very tough time.

My Grandad Baz, always spoke of the parable of the talents and pushed us to always do our best at everything we do. This was particularly in the playing of our musical instruments but I also see now beyond this. I feel grateful to have the ability to run and enjoyed completed a few half marathons- this feels like the important next step.

It’s time for me to do my part, doing something I love to do and raise money for an organisation I love ‘The Salvation Army’