Story

At one of the lowest points in my life, Lest We Forget Association was there for me.

In September 2024, I suffered a serious back injury that forced me to spend 9 months away from work. Managing chronic pain, recovery, and rehabilitation was incredibly tough, but the mental and emotional impact was even harder.

Then in October 2025, my relationship of 10 years ended. Everything felt as though it was falling apart. At a time when I felt lost, I was given a last-minute place on one of the Lest We Forget Association’s resilience and wellbeing sailing trips in Greece. Their mission is to support current and former members of the UK Armed Forces, Merchant Navy, as well as their families, and I experienced firsthand just how life-changing that support can be.

Although I arrived carrying heartbreak and struggling mentally, I left having met some of the most incredible people — whose kindness and support helped me through one of the darkest times in my life.

Since then, I’ve started rebuilding myself through running. I’ve never been much of a runner and have always favoured strength training, but running has become something that makes me feel physically and mentally stronger.

So on 5th September, I’ll be taking on the Médoc Marathon in Bordeaux — a marathon famous for its wine stops along the route. Running 26.2 miles is already a huge challenge, but adding wine into the mix will make it a marathon to remember.

This race represents so much more than just the finish line. It’s about resilience, healing, and giving back to the charity that helped me when I needed it most.

I’ll be sharing my training journey and race day experience, and I would be so grateful for any donation, big or small, to help Lest We Forget Association continue supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

If this charity can help even one more person the way it helped me, every mile and every glass of wine — will be worth it.

Thank you so much for your support 🤍