350,000 Pennies for Penny 🩷

This September marks 10 years since I lost my mum, Penny, after a short but devastating battle with cancer.

In Mum's final days, the incredible team at LOROS Hospice cared for her with such compassion and kindness, while also supporting our family through the hardest days we've ever faced. One of Mum's biggest wishes was that she wouldn't die at home. She didn't want the place we called home to become the place where we said goodbye, or for us to be left with those memories every day.

LOROS gave her that choice.

They welcomed her into the hospice, where she spent her final days surrounded by people who treated her with such warmth, respect and genuine care. I remember seeing the change in her almost immediately. Although she was already very weak at this point, she visibly relaxed, knowing she was somewhere she felt safe and cared for. It brought our family an enormous sense of peace too, knowing she was exactly where she wanted to be. She was able to meet the end of her life with the dignity she deserved, and that is something I will be forever grateful for. Their kindness is something I'll never forget.

LOROS has always been more than just a charity to us. They also cared for my grandma during her illness before I was born, so for as long as I can remember they've held a very special place in our family's heart. Supporting them feels like a way of saying thank you for the care they've given and honouring two generations of the women who helped shape my family.

In April 2027, 10 (and a half) years on, I'll be taking on the biggest challenge I've ever set myself: running the London Marathon.

If I'm honest, I'm not a runner (yet!), so this will be one of the biggest physical and mental challenges I've ever taken on. Right now, life revolves around my two beautiful little boys, Sebastian and Brody. By the time I stand on the London Marathon start line, Sebastian will be four and Brody will have just celebrated his first birthday.

More than crossing the finish line, I hope this journey teaches them something far more important: that even when life brings heartbreak, we can choose to turn our grief into something positive. I want them to know that it's possible to honour the people we love by living courageously, showing kindness, and giving back. That's exactly what this marathon means to me.

I'm running for my mum. I'm running for my boys. And I'm running for every family who will need LOROS in the future.

My goal is to raise £3,500 - or 350,000 pennies for Penny.

Every single penny donated will help LOROS continue providing outstanding care, comfort and support to families facing the unimaginable, just as they did for ours.

Whether you donate, share my page, cheer me on, or simply follow my journey from complete beginner to marathon finisher, thank you. It means more than I can put into words.

Every mile. Every penny. For Penny. 💛

🏃 Follow my journey from ‘absolutely not a runner’ to the London Marathon finish line at @shannonalicetaylor.

Milestones on the road to London 🏃🏼‍♀️

👟 Leicester 10k - Sunday 11th October 2026

👟 Leicestershire Half Marathon - Sunday 28th February 2027

To find out more about LOROS Hospice, carry on reading ↓

LOROS provides incredible, compassionate care for over 2,500 patients and their families every year across Leicestershire and Rutland. They support people with life-limiting illnesses, ensuring dignity, comfort, and the best possible quality of life. As well as providing vital emotional and practical support for families during the most difficult times.

To continue offering these services, LOROS needs to raise millions of pounds each year. By running this marathon, I’m hoping to do my part to support this amazing cause — but I can’t do it alone.

Taking on the London Marathon is no small feat. Covering 26.2 miles, it’s a challenge that pushes both body and mind to their limits. Months of early mornings, long training runs, and sheer determination go into preparing for race day.

That’s why I’ve chosen to take on the London Marathon 2027 in support of LOROS Hospice.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how big or small, it would mean the world to me and to everyone who relies on LOROS.