In April 2026 (third time lucky!) I’m taking on the incredible challenge of running 26.2 miles (that’s 42km!) in the iconic London Marathon to support ActionAid 🏃🏼‍♀️

I've run one marathon before in 2016 and said "never again!" However, after experiencing chronic fatigue since 2020 I was determined to find a way to bring running back into my life.

Over the last 3 years I managed to slowly get my body used to 10k runs again and am hugely motivated - despite my doubts - to run the marathon distance in support of an incredible charity.

My goal is £2500. I've had to defer twice due to an IT band injury that finally seems to have healed 🤞 And how could I NOT complete the day if it means raising that much for a good cause? Can you help?

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ActionAid is an international charity that works with woman and girls living in poverty.

✨ £3 could provide hygiene kits containing soap, clean underwear and sanitary pads

✨ £10 can help build safe, clean toilets in schools

✨ £12 could provide essentials like clothing, underwear, soap and sanitary protection for survivors of violence

✨ £30 can provide 2-month hygiene kits in Gaza

✨ £45 can provide 2 weeks worth of food for a family

✨ £66 can provide first-aid kids to 2 families without hospital access

✨ And if we meet the full goal, together we can provide 500 families with hygiene essentials during an emergency, preventing the spread of diseases

About ActionAid

ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Specifically they help to:

- End violence against women and girls

- Champion women’s economic rights

- Expand access to education and empower adolescent girls

- Drive long-term policy change

- Respond to humanitarian emergencies - all while prioritising the rights and leadership of women and girls in times of crisis.

If you'd like to find out more about the amazing work ActionAid does, please visit their website at www.actionaid.org.uk

My page donations will be sent direct to the charity in a fast and secure way. Its efficient, saves time and cuts costs for the charity.

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PREVIOUS INJURY UPDATES

Dec 2 2025 Update - After a lot of illness and time off running due in October/ early November I'm finally starting my marathon training - early, to hopefully avoid injury. I just ran 7 miles for the first time in a long time, and my knees felt good!

Although I'm still in denial and my legs are very sore! It'll give me a HUGE boost if you can help me support this amazing charity (it really does keep me going during the tough moments on long runs!)

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Jan 2025 Update - I have been battling with my IT band injury since Feb 2024. I have been seen by the physio, orthopaedic, and podiatrist and doing all of the stretches and strength-training exercises! I'm (finally!) able to run over 5k pain-free and am ramping up my mileage, but am not able to train at the level required for the marathon, so I've deferred my place until 2026. In the meantime, I'm hoping to run a 10-mile race in a few months!

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Feb 2024 Update - It's official, I am deferring my place in the London Marathon to 2025 😢 Mid-Feb I ended my half-marathon training run limping with knee pain. Unfortunately, it still hasn't recovered by mid-March.

It has shown me just how much this running means to me, and I'm not giving up! But I do need time to heal. Once I have, I'll slowly train for a half marathon race before running the full marathon.

Thanks for your support - and keep donating, because I'm more determined than ever to hit the "big" donations goal 💪

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