Meningitis Now is a charity very close to my heart. My son Benjamin lost his best friend in all the world, Oliver, very suddenly to meningitis, just weeks after they both turned 17 in 2024. The strength shown by Oliver’s family and friends each and every day is nothing short of incredible, but I wish more than anything that none of them had had to go through such a devastating loss. My hope is that one day no one will have to go through the loss of a beloved child, sibling, family member or friend to meningitis. I have chosen to support the charity Meningitis Now, their vision is a future where no-one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

I knew that I would need to set myself a really big challenge if I was going to succeed in supporting the amazing work done by Meningitis Now…. So, starting this October and ending 12 months later in October 2027, I will be running a race every month and because I really wanted to push myself I will be running 2 in the first month!

So here it is -

My Year of Running 2026/27 -

October ‘26 - East Grinstead 10k

October ‘26 - the Great South Run

November ‘26 - Brighton 10k

December ‘26 - Snowy Owl Hoot

January ‘27 - TBC

February ‘27 - Brighton Half Marathon

March ‘27 - TBC

April ‘27 - London Landmarks Half Marathon

May ‘27 - TBC

June ‘27 - TBC

July ‘27 - Saucony London 10k

August ‘27 - TBC

September ‘27 - TBC

October ‘27 - East Grinstead 10k

I will be adding more races as I go!

This is not going to be easy, but I will be doing it all in Oliver’s memory, for his family and friends and everyone who loved him 🧡