Welcome to my fundraising page for the London Marathon 2026, I am raising money for North London Hospice.

The North London Hospice is a special place and has great personal meaning for me. Towards the end of 2011, the staff at the hospice provided superb care for my father, Stephen Szemerenyi, and were  wonderful in supporting us as a family. His illness was relatively short but the staff were kind, knowledgeable, empathetic and an enormous help in every way. Sadly, my dad died on 1st January 2012, but I was able to focus on running to help me cope with my grief. In April 2012, I ran the London Marathon as part of the North London Hospice Team, in memory of him, supported every step of the way by my amazing family and friends. Then, last year, the hospice looked after my dear friend Louise, in the last few weeks of her life. Her family felt indebted to the staff at the hospice, as so many local families do.

I know how beneficial running can be for all of us, both physically and emotionally. Running with several of my closest friends and sharing some incredible experiences over three previous London Marathons are some of my most treasured memories. Yet, as I embark on preparing to be stronger and fitter to take on London Marathon 2026, I can’t help but feel a little daunted. Despite this, and knowing just how hard it will be, my motivation is clear and my Szemerenyi determination will keep driving me forward.

I am so grateful and proud to have the opportunity to run in memory of my dad and to run in aid of the hospice again, so other families can benefit in the same way we did. Any donation to this worthy and most deserving of causes, will be very gratefully received and hugely appreciated.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your support. See you at the finish! 

With love and thanks,

Lucy

Additional information

Serving the London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, the North London Hospice cares for over 3,500 patients and their families across our services every year, in their own homes and at the in-patient unit at Woodside Park, Finchley.

They also offer a day service, bereavement counselling and family support, all provided in a multi-faith environment. These services are given free of charge to all those in need and the hospice relies on donations to raise most of the £16 million that is needed to keep it running every year.

Their specialist services are in great demand and there is always a need for more. Their vision is that everyone in our diverse community who is affected by a potentially life limiting illness will have equal access to the services and support they need to optimise their quality of life.