In April 2025 I will be running the Brighton Marathon, for the second time. The first time I signed up for this marathon was in 2022 and I remember my mum telling me I was mad! On race day, she tracked me the whole way and sent me messages over the hours of running. She was the first person I called after I collected my medal and she said she was proud of me and that I should go and get a beer and chips…so I did! My mum died in June 2023 following an accident, and life hasn’t been the same since. When I run this marathon there will be no mum to call me mad, or persuade me to have that extra glass of wine at dinner the night before a long training run or tell me she’s proud of me.

In the 8 days between her accident and the day she died, the staff at Southampton Neurology ICU worked tirelessly to do everything they could. Two life saving operations, endless tests & scans and non stop medication. I cannot thank them enough for their honesty, compassion and constant care and respect they showed towards mum.

I would like to raise money for Smile4Wessex, the charity associated to the neurology department within Southampton Hospital. So that they can keep supporting families, keep finding innovative ways to save lives and to ensure each patient is given the fighting chance they deserve.

I miss her every single day more than words could ever say, and during every painful mile on 6th April 2025, I know she’ll be with me and I hope to make her proud once again.