This year, I am honoured to be running London Marathon for Queen's Park Harriers. Since joining the club in 2023, I've found the community I've been craving in a city that can feel quite lonely at times, and it has given me the confidence to do things that I wouldn't have been able to imagine a few years ago.

With a club spot, there is no obligation to fundraise for a particular charity, however it wouldn't feel right to run in the world's biggest charity marathon and not try to raise money for one that is close to my heart.

Through working for Age UK Camden, I have seen first-hand the difference that a local charity can make to the lives of many, including my own as an employee. Whilst the charity uses the branding of well-known charity Age UK, as a local partner serving just the borough of Camden, it is responsible for raising all its own funds (this is the same for all local Age UKs across the country). In the current climate, this is becoming increasingly challenging, so I have chosen Age UK Camden as my charity of choice for those who wish to sponsor me as I take on my first world major marathon. Thank you.

A bit about Age UK Camden:

We are a local independent charity, established in 1965, who have been supporting older people in Camden for more than 50 years.

We have grown to become one of the largest Age UK charities in London, helping over 15,000 older people each year through a range of services. There are currently over 30,000 people over 65 years living in Camden. Our role is to help those over 55 stay active, connected, independent and to empower them in later life. Some of our services are now open to those aged 18 years and above.

www.ageuk.org.uk/camden