As a keen runner, I always pondered on the thought of running in the London Marathon, an event that would have been one of the greatest challenges I would have ever faced. That was before the unimaginable happened, the devastating loss of our beautiful son, Oliver. This is now our greatest unwanted challenge, finding the courage to go on, rebuild, to reimagine, to redefine what it means to be strong. Learning how to carry on as we have no other choice and no option but to survive, even more so for his younger brother Flynn.

Oliver was 17 years old, fit and healthy and was just starting out in his young adult life. He truly had presence that would light up any room, bring laughter and joy wherever he went. On July 22nd 2024, we lost our son to bacterial meningitis and septicemia, a short and brutal battle, that claimed his life within 24 hours of the first symptom.

Since his passing, I have had to find strength I never knew I had, because even though all I have wanted to do is stop, time doesn’t stand still and we have to keep on moving. This brings me to the reason behind this message. A good friend of mine Tasha Neave asked if I would like to run the London Marathan with her, on the 27th April 2025 in memory of Oliver, raising awareness and funds towards Meningitis Research, a charity working to defeat meningitis and septicemia. This will be my ‘first’ marathon and it will also be the day after my 45th birthday, which will be my ‘first’ birthday without Oliver by my side.

We are forever grateful for the love and support you have shown us over the past few months. It is hard to ask for more, but if I can, please can I ask you to support me by donating however much you can. Every pound raised will go towards preventing such a cruel disease from taking away a life and destroying a family as it has ours. Please help me to help others. Thank you for your support.