Me and my dad are running the 2026 London Marathon!!!!

We’re a dad and daughter running the 2026 London Marathon together for Versus Arthritis, a cause that’s deeply personal to both of us.

I’m 25, and I was diagnosed with juvenile systemic idiopathic arthritis when I was 11. The diagnosis was far from straightforward. I was severely unwell, spending long periods in hospital as doctors struggled to understand what was wrong. Arthritis became a whole-body disease. It affects all my joints, and during flares, I experience high fevers, profound fatigue, nausea, skin rashes, and often require hospital care. Much of my childhood was stolen by this cruel illness. Even now, arthritis impacts my life in many ways.

At 22, I had my first total reverse shoulder replacement, as arthritis had completely destroyed the joint. I became one of the youngest people to ever receive a custom-made joint of this type. I had my second shoulder replaced a year later. Arthritis has changed my life - physically, emotionally, and socially. Having two shoulder replacements at such a young age is incredibly rare. With limited options for future revision surgeries, the future of my mobility can feel frightening.

But arthritis hasn’t just shaped my life, it’s shaped my parents’ lives, too. They have walked this journey beside me every step of the way. From chasing answers during my diagnosis to staying by my hospital bedside, from navigating the fear of surgeries to helping me manage everyday pain, they’ve carried so much of the emotional weight of this disease. They’ve had to watch their child go through things no parent ever wants to imagine, and they did it all while holding our family together.

I’m running the 2026 London Marathon for Versus Arthritis to raise awareness, fight stigma, and show what’s possible, even with a chronic condition. My motivation is deeply personal. I want to help ensure that more people with arthritis get the early diagnosis, treatment, and support they deserve. That’s only possible with more research, specialist care, and a louder voice for those living with arthritis.

Now, my dad is joining me on this journey by running the London Marathon alongside me. He’s doing it not only to raise vital funds for Versus Arthritis, but to show what love and support look like in action. We’re running for everyone affected by arthritis, and for every parent, carer, and loved one who has carried someone through it.

Our joint fundraising page now has a target of £5,000. Every pound raised will support research, improve access to diagnosis and treatment, and help families like ours who are navigating life with arthritis.

We are more than this disease, and together, we’re determined to prove it.