Hello! I’ll start by saying that I know this may not be the first time you have donated to BHF and towards one of my runs. Thank you for being here (again) when I know that there are so many worthy and notable causes out there and so much going on in the world.

I’m running London:

a) for the reasons I always run (dad and max), and to keep putting grief into something a tiny bit tangible

b) because it’s such an incredible opportunity to participate in a day so special

c) because I did not train smart for Manchester and I barely crossed the finish line. I’m hoping to challenge myself and come back with a time I can be proud of instead of over training and neglecting strength work last time

Since dad died in March 2021, I’ve run a few half marathons and one full marathon in his memory, raising money for British Heart Foundation. On one level, I want to channel grief into something productive and meaningful, raising money for life changing procedures that BHF provide. Dad has a stent put in a few months before he died and it was meant to change his life, but unfortunately other unpredictable things got in the way. My brother, Max, who passed away in 2014, had a hole in the heart and received consistent care and support against many odds throughout his life. Max was in a wheelchair and suffered a number of disabilities through which he was such a brave soul. Because of him, I also remind myself every bloody day that I’m lucky to have movement and be able to push myself in this way.

On a deeper level, I run so that dad would be proud of me, so that he knows I’m thinking about him and so that others hear about grief and know that, when it comes, it’s ok to reach out. Death and grief are total dogshit and it’s not ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’, ‘I’m strong because it’s my only choice’.

Thank you for clicking, for listening to my TED talk and for donating if you choose to do so ❤️