💜 WHY I'M FUNDRAISING FOR CATS PROTECTION

I am so excited to run the 2026 London Marathon for Cats Protection and mark the completion of my sixth World Marathon Major!!! I can’t think of a more meaningful way to celebrate than by supporting a cause that is so close to my heart. Like, CATS + RUNNING = Hannah

Cats have been a big part of my life for nearly a decade. I began fostering cats in college, thinking it would be a temporary alternative to adopting a dog, but it quickly became a passion. I found joy in helping cats find loving homes, spending weekends at adoption events, and learning the profound difference just one person can make by helping even one cat. When our fourth foster cat, Daisy, arrived -- a two-year-old dilute calico who was picked up by animal control with her kittens in West Virginia -- I knew she was meant to stay. Daisy Eliza Sedgwick Shin has been my constant companion ever since, inspiring my ongoing dedication to cat welfare and adoption.

My passion extended beyond fostering. While interning at Animal Planet and later working at National Geographic, I supported projects and shows that emphasized animal welfare and educated the public on critical issues like spaying and neutering. Daisy even had her moment in the spotlight when she was featured in a National Geographic article! When I moved to Los Angeles, I volunteered at Feline Good Social Club and Crumbs & Whiskers, both nonprofit cat lounges/cafes with rescue partners, where I not only cared for cats but also educated potential adopters and managed social media to boost adoption rates.

Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of organizations like Cats Protection. This organization's work to rescue, care for, and rehome over 157,000 cats annually is inspiring, essential and incredible work. Their commitment to spaying & neutering, fostering, and championing the welfare of all cats perfectly aligns with my values and the values that Daisy has inspired.

Running the London Marathon for Cats Protection is the culmination of my years of running and my dedication to the cat community. It's an incredible honor to represent Cats Protection and raise funds to support their mission.

This race isn't just my sixth World Marathon Majors star, it's for Daisy & Gracie, plus our fosters over the years, Gizmo, Traviesa, Ashton, Big Al and Omar, the hundreds of cats I've met through my volunteering in Los Angeles, and for the thousands of cats that Cats Protection helps every year across the UK.

😻 DONOR PERKS!

IF YOU'VE DONATED OVER £10, PLEASE FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM HERE

Here are some suggested donation amounts. These amounts come with a small gift from me as a token of my gratitude! I’ll keep these going until we hit the fundraising goal of €2000!!!

🐱 £10 – Personalized Slack/iPhone Emoji

I’ll create a custom Slack/iPhone emoji featuring your pet. Just upload a clear, front-facing photo of your pet’s face, and I’ll email your emoji.

🐱 £26.20 – Raffle Entry: Custom Rhinestoned Sunglasses

Once I hit my £2,000 fundraising goal, I’ll raffle off a pair of hand-crafted sparkly sunglasses, customized just for you. Check out my craft/running IG @runinrhinestones for inspo!

🐱 £50 – Personalized Thank-You Video from Daisy or Gracie

My cats, Daisy and/or Gracie, will star in a custom video to thank you for helping more cats find homes & love.

🐱 £100 – Your Pet Featured on My Race Kit

Your pet’s face will be part of my 2026 London Marathon race kit! Upload a clear, front-facing photo so they can "run" London with me 🐾

🐱 £150 – Cat Sponsorship + Custom Ceramic Pet Dish

This covers a full health check for one cat through Cats Protection UK. You’ll also receive a custom ceramic pet bowl hand made by me, with your pet’s name.

🐱 £500 – VIP Sponsor: ALL the Perks!

This fully covers the cost of neutering/spaying one cat. You'll also receive all the perks listed above -- the raffle, thank-you video, race kit feature, wallpaper/emoji, and custom bowl!

🐱 DAISY'S STORY

Daisy was our fourth foster cat in March 2016. She was picked up by animal control in Fayetteville, West Virginia, with two of her kittens. Her kittens were adopted locally, but Daisy made her way to DC with a rescue that aimed to get adult cats adopted in the city. She had a cold from the shelter, so she needed to be the only cat in the apartment, so we were the perfect landing spot. I adopted her two weeks after she arrived, and we've been together ever since! She's since launched herself out of a third-story window, got herself sealed in a wall, lived in five apartments in three states, been on a cross-country flight, and has ever been in National Geographic!

🐱 GRACIE'S STORY

Gracie has since come into our lives by the same foster fail method in early 2025. She was picked up by animal control with her kitten in Downey, California, and found herself on the euthanasia list. With an hour to spare, a rescue saved her, and she jumped from foster to foster, where all she did was hide and go on hunger strikes. When she made it to our apartment, she made herself right at home in the center of the living room while scarfing down every last bite of her food. Gracie was adopted, then subsequently returned to us when it wasn't a good fit -- so she adopted us.