I am running the London Marathon on 21st April 2024. This still is going to be one of my biggest challenges I've set myself but I am determined to tick it off my bucket list!

I have chosen to run for the Meningitis Research Foundation. Some of you may have been affected by meningitis and septicaemia, like my family were. In October 2012, I got septicaemia and gave it to my gorgeous baby girl Olivia when I gave birth to her. Then in 2017 my niece, Scarlett, got bacterial meningitis when she was 3 weeks old. We were lucky and both babies recovered fully and are now both gorgeous 6 and 11 year olds.

But for many families their stories are different. Meningitis and septicaemia (the blood poisoning form of the infection that is also known as sepsis) are the 2nd biggest infectious killers of children under 5 and can kill in a matter of hours. A quarter of those who survive are left with life altering after affects including hearing loss, brain damage or amputations. However, progress tackling meningitis lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases. 

I am therefore running the 2024 London Marathon to give back and help the MRF team be there for others when needed - and to power MRF to fund research and help them achieve their goal of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia by 2030!

Please sponsor me - I've set a goal of £3000. Your contribution will make an impact and will push me on to complete each step in those 26.2 miles. Every little bit helps. 

Thank you for your support, Sam xxx