Having had a liver transplant in September 2022 and a number of health challenges since 2008, I have decided to take on the 2025 London Marathon alongside my brother Charlie, in support of ‘Rays of Sunshine’ charity which exists to fulfil the wishes of terminally or seriously ill children across the UK.

‘Rays of Sunshine’ is particularly close to my heart—not just because it’s a fantastic cause, but because they made a huge difference to me during some pretty tough years. Let me take you back to 2008: an 11-year-old me was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. A year later, just when I thought I had enough medical drama for a lifetime, I was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease, and admitted to the Rays of Sunshine Ward at King’s College Hospital—a ward that was transformed by this incredible charity.

Picture this: hospital wards are usually dull, grey, and a bit depressing. Well, not this one. It was bright, colourful, and full of life. Each bed even had a plasma TV and a PS3 attached (for an in-patient, this was nothing short of legendary). It might not sound like much, but it made those long hospital stays just a bit easier and gave us something to smile about.

Rays of Sunshine didn’t stop there. They told me I was eligible for a wish, to give me a “day to remember.” On August 29, 2009, my family and I went to see Liverpool take on Bolton Wanderers at Anfield. Everything was covered—accommodation, transfers, and even £250 spending money, which I promptly blew on the latest T90 football boots. Seeing Liverpool win 3-2 and Sotirios Kyrgiakos play live is something that not many people have had the pleasure of doing.

Fast forward to now, and I’m gearing up to run the London Marathon. It’s a dream I’ve always had, and while it’s going to be a massive challenge, I’ve faced plenty of hurdles before. From being diagnosed with diabetes in 2008 to autoimmune liver disease in 2009, oesophageal varices and portal hypertension in 2011, hip and knee surgeries, multiple bouts of sepsis, gallbladder removal and finally a liver transplant in 2022 that left me looking more like a character from The Simpsons than my usual self. After five weeks in hospital, 13kg lighter, and with a list of complications behind me, I made it through and came out the other side stronger than ever.

Now, two years post-transplant, I’m back smashing into tackles on the football pitch and ready to take on this marathon. Rays of Sunshine gave me memories that have lasted a lifetime, and I want to help them create those same moments for other children who are facing tough times.

Since 2008, each illness and challenge I’ve faced has been made so much easier with the unwavering support of my brother, Charlie. He’s been by my side through it all, encouraging me and lifting me up when I needed it most. Despite my best efforts, it’s highly unlikely that I’ll manage to run step by step with him on the big day (he’s annoyingly quicker than me), but it feels only right that we enter and run the marathon in April 2025 collectively for the same charity.

Please donate if you can. Every pound raised will go towards helping seriously ill children have their own “day to remember.” Thank you for your support—it means the world to me and my family if any donations can be made.

Please visit the link below to learn more about the charity:

https://raysofsunshine.org.uk/the-charity/

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.