On Sunday 3rd October, I am hoping to run the legendary London Marathon for the first time. After 9 years of entering the ballot, and continually receiving the infamous 'Sorry....' magazine I finally gained a place with a Good for Age time from Edinburgh Marathon in 2019. I didn't really fancy another marathon but when you get an automatic place to London-...how could I not?!

My original date for running was April 2020 but covid put a stop to that happening and I was secretly glad at the time after a reoccurring injury bothered me for most of that year. During the second lockdown, I completely lost my motivation for running and signed myself up for a coaching programme in Feb 2021.  The past 9 months have been spent training hard along with working and juggling the many, many different plates of everyday life. 

Running for me is the one thing that keeps me together and helps me to remain sane when the pressures of life seem to never end! That hour out on my feet, before work each morning definitely sets me up for my day ahead- I just love it (once I have dragged myself out the door!).

The training isn't just for fun though and I want to try and raise some funds for a very special charity- Kayleigh's Wee Stars, while training. The last year has been a tough year for so many people for so many different reasons. Covid has changed and stopped many, many things. Sadly there are some things that it hasn't stopped and childhood cancer is one of them.  

In the UK, around 240 children are lost to childhood cancers each year. Losing a child is something no parent should ever have to go through, sadly this is not always the case for some.

Kayleigh's Wee Stars was established back in 2012 by Anna and Jonathan Cordiner, in memory of their beautiful daughter Kayleigh. The charity offers financial support to families where a child has a terminal illness so that they can create special memories together which they can cherish forever. I met Anna and Jonny at teaching college in 2001. Their commitment and dedication to the charity is nothing short of inspiring along with juggling their busy day jobs and raising their beautiful girls. Over the years, Kayleigh's Wee Stars have supported over 350 families paying out around £700 000 from funds raised- incredible. 

It would be wonderful if this page could gather a few donations to put toward the charity as the opportunities to raise money lately have been slim. 

Thank you so much in advance, I know every penny will be more than appreciated by families who need it.

Rebecca x

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.