I’ll be running the London Marathon 2024 for the charity Heart Research UK, inspired by my BBC colleague Chris Slegg. I chose this charity after Chris shared his journey with the disease Ebstein’s Anomaly, which he was born with. Research into congenital heart diseases is chronically underfunded, with even less research done on the diseases of the right ventricle (including Ebstein’s Anomaly) meaning there are hardly any drugs available to help with these conditions.

Chris was told at the end of 2021 that a his heart could completely fail within a year but is now enjoying a better prognosis due to pioneering surgery. I’d love to raise as much money for this charity to help those like Chris with incurable heart diseases. I’ve linked his article below covering the reality of living with such a disease:

'I was told my heart might fail within a year' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65124753

I’ll also be running the Marathon in memory of my wonderful grandma, Helena O’Reilly (Nanny Reilly) who sadly passed away in May from heart-related issues, the day after my London Marathon place was confirmed, so I sadly never got to tell her I was running it. I hope she’d have been proud of me. I miss her a lot.

I’ve been training hard the past few months, and as well as I can along with balancing full-time working and full-time parenting a one year old! I can’t wait to run my first Marathon, and anything - even a pound - can help towards my charity cause.

Thank you, Lauren x