Hello everyone, it’s me again, this time with an even bigger challenge, and I need your help! After years of unsuccessful ballot entries, I am so excited that I have secured a place in the LONDON MARATHON 2026! And better still, I am absolutely over the moon to be running to raise money for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, the hospital where I work as a children’s critical care nurse ❤️

On the 30th September 2024, I stepped foot into the critical care unit at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital for the first time; dressed in a crisp new blue uniform, absolutely bricking it because never in a million years did I think that I, a newly-qualified nurse with no previous critical care experience, had what it took to be the nurse that these children deserve to be looked after by.

Over the course of the last year, I have had the privilege of caring for some of the most inspirational young people and the most beautiful families you could ever wish to meet. Their bravery, unwavering optimism, and incredible stories are the reason I am so incredibly proud to wear my blues every day, the reason I go into work excited to see what the shift will bring, and the gratitude of knowing that I get to be a part in their journey with the Evelina.

Not only this, but I get to spend every day surrounded by an army of the most dedicated and determined colleagues, that I have been lucky enough to learn from. The support I have received as a newly-qualified nurse at the Evelina is evident of a team of people who all truly love what they do, and who are so proud to spend their working lives caring for our young people. My incredible colleagues and friends at the Evelina are one of the many reasons why I am so proud to be running the London Marathon 2026 in aid of ELCH.

From children with complex cardiac conditions awaiting life-changing surgery, to children who’ve fallen ill suddenly and need intensive treatment, to the thousands of children in the community who are continually supported by countless different teams, the Evelina looks after over 103,000 young people every year; each and every one of whom shape the lives of all of us who are lucky enough to be apart of their journey.

The harsh reality, as much as it’s easy to gloss over, is that so many of the children in the care of the Evelina are faced with a fight. These children fight long, and hard, and the people that love them dearly often have to watch them go through pain and upset with little they can do to take it away. It is in the midst of this fight, that the love, light, and bravery of these young people shines through, I know personally as a children’s nurse that the feeling of seeing my patient smile, is worth more than all the money in the world, and I am so proud to be running for each and every one of these young people.

In 2026 there will be a team of 103 runners taking part in the London marathon for the Evelina. As a staff member myself I can say that there is evidence everywhere of the impact that fundraising can make at ELCH, for example:

- £15 could help buy VR technology that play specialists can use to help to distract children from sometimes scary procedures.

- £25 could help fund magical sensory equipment for therapeutic play sessions that our children so look forward to.

- £50 could contribute towards pioneering research that gives so many children both at the Evelina and all over the world a chance to live the full and happy life they deserve.

So thank you, so incredibly much, for all of your support. Remember that every penny raised goes directly to supporting our children and young people at the Evelina.