I am running the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon to raise lifesaving funds for Anthony Nolan. 

Up until the beginning of August I had been training to run Manchester Marathon with the ambition of achieving a sub 4 hour time. The training seemed so much harder than it ever had before but I put this down to training through the summer months for an October marathon rather than a Spring event. Unfortunately this was not the reason. 

On 12 August I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The initial shock hasn’t yet fully warn off but I do know I am extremely lucky to have one of the most manageable forms of leukaemia. CLL isn’t curable but it is treatable. I do not know yet what treatment I will need and when, however I do know that this will very likely be my last marathon. Gone has any realistic hope of a sub 4 hour time but this has been replaced with the determination to raise as much money as I can for Anthony Nolan. 

Anthony Nolan are an amazing charity who give people with the most acute types of blood cancers a chance. By allowing me to join their team for London 2021 they have also given me the chance to fulfil my ambition of running the London Marathon, the greatest marathon in the world. Without leukaemia charities such as Anthony Nolan the prognosis for people with blood cancers would be so much bleaker.

For someone with blood cancer, a stem cell transplant could be their last chance of survival. Today, five people will start their search for a stranger to save their life. Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. By donating to my page, or registering as a stem cell donor, you will be giving more people with blood cancer the chance of a future. 

I would be so grateful for any donation, however small, as each and every pound makes a difference. It costs £40 to add each new potential donor to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register. If I can reach my target I know it’ll certainly help me to dig deep and find the strength to run 26.2 miles in as best time as I can now manage. Thank you so much, your support is truly appreciated.