Running the London Marathon for Sophia & The Daisy Garland

On 25th April, we’ll stand on the start line of the London Marathon.

People have asked us why.

The answer is simple.

We’re running for Sophia.

Sophia is my daughter and Kevin’s niece.

On 25th June 2025, when she was just five months old, our family was told she had West Syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy.

Just a few days earlier, she had been doing everything you’d expect a happy, healthy baby to do. She was sitting on her own, rolling over, babbling away and reaching every milestone ahead of schedule.

Then, almost overnight, those milestones disappeared.

Nothing prepares you for watching that happen to a child you love.

The weeks that followed were some of the hardest our family has ever faced. We suddenly found ourselves learning about epilepsy, medications, hospital appointments and the ketogenic diet. We had so many questions, but very few answers.

Then Daisy Garland came into our lives.

When Sophia started the ketogenic diet, a Welcome Box arrived at our door.

It was full of practical things to help us as we began a journey we never expected to be on.

But what it really brought us was something much more important.

“You are not alone.”

Those four words meant everything.

Through Daisy Garland, we met parents who understood exactly what we were going through. People we’d never met gave up their own time to answer our questions, share their experiences and simply listen. One family even sent Sophia an epilepsy helmet after hearing about her story.

That support didn’t stop there.

Today, Daisy Garland continues to support families through Welcome Boxes, NHS ketogenic diet services, grants for epilepsy monitors and specialist equipment, Daisy’s Keto Café, wellbeing sessions and opportunities for parents to meet others who truly understand. They’ve helped turn what can feel like an incredibly lonely diagnosis into a community where families support one another and know they’re never facing it alone. They did that for us, and they’re doing it for families across the UK.

When I decided to run the London Marathon to give something back, I didn’t even have to ask Kevin. He wanted to do it too.

So on 25th April, we’ll stand on that start line together.

Not because we believe we can change what happened to Sophia.

But because we hope we can help Daisy Garland continue changing what happens to the next family.

Sophia is our reason for running.

Daisy Garland is our reason for asking.

If you’re able to support us, we’d be incredibly grateful.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help Daisy Garland continue supporting children with drug-resistant epilepsy and the families who suddenly find themselves living a life they never expected.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Kevin & Darren

One day, we hope to watch Sophia take her first steps.

Until then… we’ll take ours for her.