My Story

Challenges to life come in many different forms. For many, we seek challenges. Whether it is testing our characters, breaking barriers, striving to achieve or targeting the impossible, we embrace the challenge in the hope that it leads to greater opportunities or reward. A marathon is one is these – a choice, a goal, an opportunity to achieve, but is this why we do it? In all honesty…no! If I really wanted to set the goal of running 26.2miles, I would pick a date, begin training and then have a go at running a marathon. To run the London Marathon (or any recognised marathon) is much more than the desire to go the distance.

In all our lives there comes a time when your needs are superseded by those of the loving people that form your past, present and future, and these moments can make you pause, take stock of what it is important and appreciate how wonderful, determined, and loving people can be in the face of adversity.

Thalassaemia is an inherited condition that can have a significant impact on day-to-day life, one that my friend experiences daily with his fiancé who is diagnosed with Thalassaemia. People with Thalassaemia produce either no, or too little haemoglobin and the implications of this place a huge burden on the individual, their families, friends, strangers, and the health service. To thrive in life, regular blood transfusions and lots of medication is required to ensure that oxygen can continue to reach their organs and keep them alive.

Jack and Roanna experience a significant impact on their day-to-day life together, but this does not stop them doing all that they can to enjoy their life together. With regular blood transfusions, increased risks of infections/complications, and readjusting plans without warning to go to hospital, it becomes harder to plan memories that will last a lifetime. However, the resilience, love and determination they both have is inspiring and they continue to experience and enjoy life to the full, despite the difficulties they face. So, when Jack asked me if I would run with him in the London Marathon 2023 to raise money for the UK Thalassaemia Society, the answer was obviously YES!

When it is difficult to be there physically offering support, the least I can do is step up and raise money for a worthy cause. With funding, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the risk of thalassaemia in families wanting to have children. It also helps those living with the condition and their families. You contribution, big or small, makes a huge difference! You can learn more about your contributions help people living with thalassaemia here: www.UKTS.org

Update January 2023:

Run a marathon they said, it will be fun they said! For those that are tracking my training efforts, you will see that it is not as easy as I imagined it would be. The mental and physical stress, on top of the obstacles of life (real and perceived) is really stretching my resilience. Thank you to all those who offer advice and who are donating to add to the motivation. I am running the Bedford 10 mile and half marathon in the coming months with the target of the Oakley 20 just before April to help my training stay on track. The ideal target remains completion in 4 hours, and I very much hope to achieve this.