Plans for 2025

After 10 years of trying my luck in the ballot for London Marathon, I was lucky enough to be given a place for 2025. Exciting as it is, after taking a 5 year sabbatical from running and not getting close to any significant distance, the idea of the grueling 42km course is rather intimidating. Nonetheless, I've hit the ground running and the training is underway.

Current plans include:

Liverpool Half Marathon - March

London Marathon - April

Liverpool - Chester Bike Ride - July

What is Elsie's Story?

With tonnes of worthy causes needing representation, I've been discussing with family and friends who we could look to support. This year, I decided to go for a new, local charity that might have had limited exposure at this point in time. I have 2 young daughters and work with children in school. As a result, the tragic Southport attack last year was a particularly difficult situation to watch and hear about in the news. As such, I reached out to see how I could help with Elsie's Story.

Elsie's Story is a charity founded by the family of Elsie Dot Stancombe, a young girl tragically killed in an attack in Southport, England. The charity aims to continue Elsie's spirit of positivity and love for others by providing grants to young people and organizations in the Merseyside region. This support will focus on community projects, medical care, and assistance for individuals and families.

The main goal is simple: to make children smile. The charity will be working with family wellness centres, community paediatric teams, schools and local councils to identify causes, families or children they can help. On top of that, other charities, community teams, and families will be able to apply for grants through an online process that is being set up. Tackling the fear instilled in children as a result of the attacks and the riots that followed is at the forefront of the work they will do because children deserve to feel safe no matter what.

The charity is lobbying for better security legislation around places where children’s events are held and supporting community spaces that don’t have proper safety measures in place.

Elsie's parents are determined that the events of that day won’t define Elsie. Instead, her story will inspire so much good.