On 19 April 2024 my amazing Grandma Celia passed away at the age of 96. She had had a great life and we always knew this sad day was going to come.

What I couldn’t have planned for is how much this loss would affect me. Grandma was as close to me as a parent would be and it took about 6 months for the grief to really hit me. My grandma was my biggest champion and losing this constant in my life broke me.

I came out of a ten year relationship, I sold my house and moved back home for the best part of a year.

I recently found a letter she had written to me in which she wrote “believe in Steph as much as we do.”

Running has always helped me stay level headed and in a (mostly!) healthy routine when things have been hard. So I thought for my first marathon, I would go to Africa and raise money for a great cause!

Street Child's purpose is to see all children safe, in school and learning - even, and especially, in low-resource environments and emergencies.

They work with an expanding network of 95+ local organisations for lasting impact in 20 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Grandma was a primary school teacher (as well as a mother of 5) looking after children from reception to year 2 from a wide range of backgrounds so I know she would approve of this massive effort 🏃‍♀️ 💪.

I will share more of the fundraising journey and training highs and lows between now and October.

Thanks