Running the London Marathon had been on my to-do list forever, but in 2019, I was motivated to finally sign-up to run in memory of the lovely Tierney Kinsella, who I knew through Jason Theatre School. Tierney tragically passed away at only 18 after a 4-year battle with an aggressive type of teenage bone cancer called osteosarcoma. I tutored Tierney for her Maths GCSE in the midst of her cancer treatment - she worked so hard despite missing so much school for treatment. Tierney faced every challenge she met with positivity, even when given a terminal diagnosis, so I challenged myself to complete the 2020 London Marathon in her memory and raise funds for her family’s chosen charity - Young Lives vs Cancer.

When the pandemic hit, the April 2020 Marathon got cancelled, but I had already completed my training so I decided to run the distance on my own. I ran in 4 hours 36 minutes, doing loops along the canal near my mum's house during lockdown. The real race was postponed to Oct 2020, but of course, that got cancelled too. This time around there was an official Virtual London Marathon and a medal to be had, so I ran again on my own in Stanstead Abbotts and Hoddesdon, completing in 4 hours 38 minutes in torrential rain.

Now it's 2022 and by the time I run the London Marathon, it will be three years from when I first signed up. I'm running on Sunday 2nd October and will finally get to experience the London Marathon for real with the support of all the crowds, crossing Tower Bridge and finishing outside Buckingham Palace! When I signed up, I doubted I could run a whole marathon, let alone three. I never thought I'd fall in love with running but during the pandemic it kept me focused and healthy mentally and physically, and I now proudly call myself a runner.

Any donations - however small - would be very much appreciated. Charities were so badly affected by the pandemic and Young Lives vs Cancer needs support now more than ever. 

Thank you so so much 💕✨