Hello,

My name is Alex, and I’m excited to share my journey with you. On April 6th, 2025, I will be running the Brighton Marathon in support of Momentum Charity.

As someone who has never run a marathon before, this is a huge challenge for me. The longest distance I’ve run so far is 3.1 miles (5km), so the thought of tackling an additional 23.1 miles (37.17km) to reach 26.2 miles (42.19km) is a bit daunting! But I’m determined to push through.

So, why am I doing this?

Earlier this year, I underwent surgery and was told the morning after that my lungs had partially collapsed, leaving my oxygen levels dangerously low. I was placed on oxygen, and further tests revealed that I was in respiratory failure. When I finally returned home, even walking to the end of the road felt impossible. For two and a half months, I couldn’t work or do much of anything as I focused on recovering.

But recovery became a journey of resilience and determination. I started small—just walking, then slowly building my strength. I pushed myself to try running, even when it felt impossible. My first run was barely a mile, but it felt like a huge victory given where I had started. Since then, I’ve steadily increased both my distance and frequency, always striving for more. I set myself a goal to run 5K, and I’m proud to say I’ve achieved it. Then, I set my sights on the marathon. It’s incredible to think that, in under a year, I will go from being in respiratory failure, unable to walk from one room to another, to running 26.2 miles!

After facing my own challenges and spending time in the hospital, I can’t even imagine how terrifying it must be for children to go through similar situations—and worse. I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of cancer on adults, and the thought of children fighting that battle is simply unimaginable. That’s why I’m running for Momentum Charity. I want to help make a difference for these children and their families during their most difficult times.

About Momentum

Momentum supports families with children facing cancer or other serious illnesses. Momentum works with hospitals across Surrey, Sussex, and London to deliver tailored support both in hospitals and at home. Their services include counselling, creative therapies, enriching experiences, and respite breaks. This support is crucial for families facing the heartbreak of hearing that their child has cancer or any other serious illness or, tragically, coping with the loss of a child.

The charity relies on the generosity of our communities.

I am incredibly grateful for any donations, no matter how small. Please share this page and spread the word!

Thank you for your support as I take on this incredible challenge! It truly means the world to the families that are in a difficult position.