Before March 2021, I had never run in my life—unless I was sprinting to catch a bus or a flight. I vividly remember the first day I decided to run. My partner, Chara, and I had recently moved into a new house in a very green area of Brussels, along with our cat, Gabrielino. I thought to myself, "It's now or never." I went down to the basement and dug out an old, completely worn pair of running shoes, borrowed from a friend many years ago.

That first "run" was just 4 kilometers, taking me around 30 minutes. By the end, I couldn’t even run—I was completely out of breath and exhausted. But from that very moment, I set a goal for myself: I will run a marathon.

Almost a year later, in April 2022, I achieved that goal at the Rotterdam Marathon. I crossed the finish line in 3:55. It wasn’t easy—I was in a lot of pain halfway through the race, but I pushed through to finish with a respectable time for a beginner. That first marathon fueled my passion for running and my drive to improve.

Next came the Athens Marathon, 1.5 years later, where I managed to finish in 3:37. Then, in April 2024, I ran the Paris Marathon for the first time with the guidance of my coach, Giannis Vafeiadis. Giannis has been instrumental in my journey, and without him, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have. Finally, in December 2024, I ran the Valencia Marathon—my fourth and most recent race—and improved my time even further to 3:08.

Now, I’m preparing for my fifth marathon: the Berlin Marathon on September 21, 2025. But this time, it’s more than just about my personal goals. I’ll have the honor of running for Get Kids Going!, an incredible charity that helps young people with disabilities experience the joy of sports. They provide sports equipment, training grants, and opportunities for kids to participate in everything from grassroots sports to the Paralympics. This cause is so important to me because it demonstrates that the barriers people with disabilities face are not rooted in their bodies but in society’s limitations and prejudices.

Running for Get Kids Going! gives me the chance to combine my passion for running with making a real difference. Together, we can help create a more inclusive society—one that values and celebrates our differences. We can give every child the chance to experience the same joy I feel every time I lace up my running shoes.

Berlin will also be my first attempt at breaking the elusive 3-hour marathon mark. It’s a challenge I’m excited to take on, but I can’t do this alone. To support Get Kids Going!, I need to raise £1,000, and that’s where you come in. Your donation, no matter how small, will help change lives and empower young people with disabilities to reach their full potential in sports—and in life.

Let’s build a world where everyone has the chance to excel. Let’s run together for a better future.