I am running the London Marathon 2025 in aid of Rugby Cats Protection. I have been a volunteer for the Rugby branch of Cats Protection since 2023. The Rugby branch is a small branch doing important work to help stray, injured, sick and homeless cats in the Rugby area.

Having rehomed our elderly cat Jilly from Rugby Cats Protection in 2015, we witnessed first hand how many cats desperately needed help and I am now going a step further running the London Marathon to raise vital funds for the branch.

(Our cat Jilly, sadly no longer with us)

Having always been an animal lover and having rehomed our dog as well as five cats and four rabbits over the last 15 years, I realise that without rescue charities like Cats Protection, we would never have had the opportunity to save our animals and give them the best life possible.

The London Marathon will be a particular challenge for me as 18 months ago I was diagnosed with a hip disorder which left me almost unable to walk. I had to give up part of my job (walking dogs) and was unable to exercise at all. I have never run a marathon before, but following physio and running for rehab, I have reached the stage where I can now train for the marathon despite my ongoing condition.

It will be a huge personal achievement to run the marathon and would mean so much that my efforts will help dozens of cats in real need of help in my local area.

Any donation, however small, will be so helpful and very, very gratefully received.

Thank you,

John