Hi everyone,

I’m running the London Marathon 2026 for Versus Arthritis – and I’m doing it for someone very close to my heart: my sister.

Before COVID, my sister was strong, independent, and full of life. But everything changed when she got the virus. What we thought would be a short recovery turned into years of long COVID symptoms, followed by chronic fatigue, constant pain, and a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (which only came after countless doctor visits and eventually paying to see a private consultant).

She’s lost so much – her health, her job, her independence, and even her home. Watching someone you love slowly lose everything through no fault of their own has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. She now battles pain, exhaustion, and depression every single day, with very little support or guidance from the system.

That’s why I’m running. I want to raise awareness for invisible illnesses like fibromyalgia and long COVID – and raise money for Versus Arthritis, who are doing amazing work to support people living with chronic pain.

I know times are tough for everyone, but if you can spare even a small donation, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every pound raised will go towards supporting those, like my sister, who are living through something most people can’t see – but that changes their entire life.

Thank you so much for reading and for being part of this journey with me 💜

Lewis