After running the marathon in 2024 I constantly said I'd never run the marathon again. Well here we are we're going again but for a more special reason.

The reason why is because this charity has given such amazing support to my best friend Katie and her family these past few months. Back at the start of the year in March 2025 Katie got rushed into hospital and she quickly got diagnosed with Burketts Lymphoma Stage 4. Since Katie’s diagnosis she was initially admitted to Basildon Hospital then quickly got transferred to to UCLH hospital in London where she was admitted in critical care for 14 weeks and since she has been moved to the Hematology ward still in UCHL.

She has been undergoing extensive chemotherapy and has has endless amount of scans which have become second nature which has shown some progress that the treatment is finally responding. Kate still has a long road of recovery ahead of her but she is one strong girl proving us what true strength is!

Since March Kate has spent her 22nd birthday in hospital where we made it as special as we could and had a constant flow of support from all her family and close friends. Having to watch Kate go through this cruel disease is something within our whole life of friendship I never thought I’d have to face, however Katie is one strong girl and showing us what a true fighter looks like everyday and we are all beyond proud of her.

In September we finally received some good news that the chemotherapy which Katie had been undergoing to fight the cancer around her body had finally worked and we received the news which everyone wanted to receive, ‘Kate’s in remission’ however unfortunately that did not last long and within a few weeks of hearing she’s in remission it has unfortunately spread to her brain. However true Kate style she is showing us what an amazing fighter she is and has begun her next lot of extensive chemotherapy as of October. Katie has now spent just over 7 months in hospital.

Update 05/02/2026

Unfortunately the course of chemotherapy that Katie was having in October didn’t achieve the results expected and therefore this form of treatment was stopped.  With the options for treatment reducing it was found that there was a trial course of treatment that had been used with success in America of which there is no access via the NHS in the UK.  After a lot of negotiations and support from the NHS Consultants, the family have managed to get a privately funded trial in place for the new drugs and treatment.

Katie has been receiving this treatment since November and will hopefully be going through her 3rd cycle shortly. She has now been home with her family since December apart from treatment periods which has certainly helped in lifting Katies spirits and also with her rehabilitation after spending so long in the hospital environment.

We are hoping for positive results from the trial treatment that will then enable the consultants to look at the next steps.  Katie continues to be an inspiration to us all, her fighting spirit, resilience and attitude towards dealing with this hasn’t waived regardless whats thrown at her.

Update 03/03/2026

After 11.5 months of showing us what true strength looks like, Katie peacefully passed away on 25/02/2026 with her family by her side. She never stopped fighting. I will carry her bravery with me through every mile of this marathon, running in her memory and hoping to make her as proud as she has always made me.

I’m hosting a disco fundraiser on Saturday 9th May in honour of our Katie with a DJ, dancing and a raffle to raise some extra money 💃🕺

It’s all about good music, good people and raising money for something that really matters. Every donation, big or small, will help make a real difference.

If you can’t make it on the night, I’d still be so grateful for your support. If you would like to attend, please let me know. Thank you for helping me turn a fun night into something meaningful