My name is Olivia and this is my story.

The reason I’m here today is for my mum Colette. This could be anyone’s mum, dad, brother, sister anyone, cancer doesn’t care it has no emotion, cancer is the saddest thing to have affected our family. Shortly before my mum was diagnosed with stage four terminal bowel cancer I had lost my cousin Nicola to cancer too. This whole thing had a huge impact on my life and to cope I started running, maybe just to clear my head, just to have some time where all the noise was free from me. I’d never been a runner but something inside me told me that’s what I needed to do.

I’m running the Rome Marathon on 22nd March 2026 in memory of my beautiful mum, Colette.

For four years my mum battled cancer and faced it with incredible strength and quiet determination. A women in her mid 50’s with everything to live for shouldn’t have had to endure this. She underwent 52 rounds of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and invasive surgery just to try and live a little longer. Her goal was to make it to my wedding in September, sadly it wasn’t to be.

In her final days, she asked me to raise money for The Hospice Isle of Man by running a marathon — (nice one, Mum, no pressure!).

Mum was moved to the Hospice shortly after, where she sadly passed away two days later. My family and I will be forever grateful for the care, compassion, and support we received. Even through the most difficult days, the staff made everything more comfortable and continue to support us now. While in the Hospice with mum I was profoundly affected by the surroundings, the wonderful way in which care was being given to my mum. All I feel I can do to repay them is run again, but this time to raise as much money as I can so the work of the Hospice IOM can continue to offer care to others in the same way we received the help we did. It’s costs around 7.5 million to operate the hospice annually so every single pound is vital.

Every donation to my run, will help this incredible team continue their work for other families when they need it most. I’ll be thinking of my mum every single step of the way in Rome, and I know that every step I take will be my small part in knowing I’ve given back and helped another family when they need it most.