Kylie, Lewis and I will be taking part in the Reading Half Marathon 2026 to raise money for Team Charlie, who have recently launched Charlies Retreat.

Team Charlie exists because one little boy showed extraordinary courage, kindness, and strength. Charlie Ilsley was just eight years old when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive childhood brain tumour. He endured major surgery, intensive chemotherapy, and stem cell transplants, and for a time he went into remission. But in 2018, further tumours were found on his spine, and after years of fighting with a bravery far beyond his age, Charlie passed away in 2020 at just thirteen.

His spirit is the heart of this charity. Charlie was described as brave, funny, caring, selfless — a true superhero to everyone who knew him. Team Charlie was created to honour that spirit by giving families facing childhood cancer something they desperately need: time away together - Thanks to the recent opening of Charlie’s Retreat, a holiday home at Cotswold Hoburne, Team Charlie steps in.

When a child is battling a brain, neck, or spinal tumour, life becomes dominated by hospitals, treatments, and fear. Team Charlie offer respite breaks and special experiences so families can breathe again, reconnect, and make memories that illness can’t take away.

That’s why the three of us are taking part in the Reading Half Marathon in March 2026. We want to help more families get the chance to smile, rest, and be together during the hardest moments of their lives.

Every donation — big or small — goes directly to supporting these children and their families. It genuinely makes a difference, and it keeps Charlie’s legacy of kindness alive.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.