As I lace up my running shoes and prepare to tackle this marathon, I’m motivated by running for an amazing cause that is very close to my heart.

Coercive control is used by abusers in a variety of ways, this can be anything from controlling aspects of your everyday life, such as where you can go, who you can see, what you can wear to isolating someone from their friends and family. This kind of behaviour is a form of domestic abuse and I didn’t have a clue whilst I was experiencing that as a teenager.

For this personal reason it is a huge honour for me to run the 2024 London Marathon for Refuge, an amazing charity that helps and supports women, survivors of domestic violence to rebuild their lives free from fear! Almost 1 in 4 women will experience some form of domestic abuse in her lifetime.

It’s taken me a long time to feel comfortable talking about my experience and this marathon is part of my personal journey. By sharing my story and raising funds for Refuge, I'm hoping to ensure that others facing similar situations have the support they need to break free too.

Crossing that finish line isn't just about completing a race; it’s like I’ll be able to see how far I’ve come through all of this.

Thank you for any support!