Here we go again… I am back to run the London Marathon 2027!

I first ran the London Marathon in April 2019 with absolutely no running experience whatsoever. I put everything into it, both the training and the fundraising and it became one of the best, proudest and most rewarding achievements of my life.

After that, I completed the Great North Run twice, but eventually my running fizzled out and in 2022 I had my third child so right now I honestly feel like I am starting all over again as a complete beginner.

But I am determined to get back out there and complete the London Marathon once again for two incredible women who inspire me every single day.

This year my mum should have turned 60, and I wanted to do something significant and meaningful in her memory. Taking on the London Marathon again will give me something to focus on and challenge myself.

Mentally, having a goal really helps me, and I know this journey will do that for me. 

The reason behind all the fundraising…

My mum had a condition called Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy and my sister Alannah also has the same condition.

On Sunday 17th September 2017, I sat with my mum having a brew and chatting away, she was fine and I said goodbye as she went to work, on Monday 18th September she was rushed into hospital with breathing difficulties and by Thursday she had gone into Respiratory failure and due to her Muscular Dystrophy there was nothing more they could do to save her.

She was just 51 years old.

On Friday 22nd September, the worst day of our lives, Me and my 3 sisters sat with her while they turned off her oxygen and she took her last breath.

I don’t think anyone is ever ready to lose their mum but at the age of 26 I definitely wasn’t ready and my sisters who were just 30, 22 and 20. We should all have had a lot more years with her.

Life is so unfair and I will never understand why she had to go.

Everyday since she went has been a struggle. Every single milestone that she isn't there for (birthdays, babies being born, weddings .. even the smallest things like booking holiday, one of the kids doing something at school/nursery is difficult because she would be the first person I would share with)

I miss her so much. It was only after she passed away and seeing Alannah deteriorate so much that it really hit how much my mum struggled but didn't show.

Growing up we knew our mum and Alannah had MD but we didn't fully understand what the condition was and that was because our mum carried on like any other mum.

She worked as a carer and then had to give that up due to struggling but then found a job in her local Spar shop which she enjoyed.

She did all the parenting practically on her own (4 girls) and found her own ways to overcome any weakness / difficulty. I often think of this and feel so guilty but a huge sense of proudness - like that was our mum and what an amazing mum she was! 

She wanted nothing more than a cure for Alannah. On one of the days in hospital she actually said to me I hope Alannah never has to go through this ... that conversation has stuck with me, how even though she was struggling she was thinking of Alannah and not herself ... that day she joked with me about me looking away when she was having a chest drain done and she kept checking I was ok and I honestly remember feeling really positive that she'd be ok, she said go back to work tomorrow don't stay off and I did ... because I believed she'd be ok, only to be rushing back the next day and she wasn't going to be ok!

I wish I could go back to those last few days and hug her for longer than I did. 

Mum, I will never stop loving you, missing you, or fighting to help find a cure.

And to Alannah, I am so incredibly proud of the strength, courage and determination you show every single day.

You continue to inspire me more than you will ever know, and I truly hope that one day a cure is found. Mum would be so proud of you! 

So here’s to the training …

Every mile is for you mum and for Alannah and all who suffer with Muscular Dystrophy 🧡

Any support, donations or shares would mean the world to me and my family.

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity for the 110,000 children and adults living with muscle-wasting conditions in the UK. There's currently no cure, and it many cases, it limits lives. MDUK do vital work in funding pioneering research into treatments and cures as well as providing vital information, advice, resources and support for individuals and families living with these conditions.

All donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated. Thank you!