I am so SO excited to be running the 2026 London Marathon and am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to raise money for an amazing charity, Cancer Research UK, along the way.

Where to start with my story…maybe a little about my running journey first. I’ve dabbled and attempted running a few times in the past, but nothing ever really stuck. That was until July 2024 when I was introduced to parkrun. I’m now 50 parkruns in (probably more depending on when you read this), and quickly caught the running bug, having also completed three 10km races in 2025, a 10 mile event booked for October 2025, and 3 half marathons completed in 2025 so far, with a fourth booked for October 2025. So a marathon seemed like the next big step!

Why Cancer Research UK? Well we’ve all heard the statistics of cancer now affecting almost 1 in 2 people in the UK, and unfortunately my very small family is no exception.

After fighting prostate cancer I lost my wonderful grandpa John to pancreatic cancer in 2018, my grandpa George fought bowel cancer, and my uncle Steve is still undergoing treatment for stage 4 prostate cancer. My mum, where to start…she’s had breast cancer 4 times with a double mastectomy, and in between all that she had a full hysterectomy for stage 3 grade 3c ovarian cancer, but has kicked cancers butt every time!

Then there’s me. Fun fact, this won’t actually be my first marathon for Cancer Research UK. In 2011 I walked all 26.2 miles of the Cancer Research UK Shine Midnight Marathon. It was the physical exertion of this that landed me in hospital where I ended up having unplanned surgery to remove what they discovered to be a gastro-intestinal carcinoid tumour (a cancerous tumour on my appendix and part of my small intestine). I have since found out I have a genetic mutation linked to bowel cancer.

I could continue the list of family, friends and acquaintances that have been affected by this cruel disease, but I’m sure if you’re reading this you will unfortunately also have your own reasons for wanting to support Cancer Research UK.

Every step I take in training and on marathon day will be for my family, for those still fighting, for those we’ve lost, and for the hope that one day cancer will no longer have the power to touch so many lives.

If you are able to donate, no matter how big or small, your support will make a real difference in helping Cancer Research UK continue their incredible work. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your kindness, generosity, and encouragement, it means the world to me. 💜

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.