2018 Virgin Money London Marathon Runners’ Stories(In alphabetical charity order)

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Sue Strachan - Alzheimer’s Research UK

Georgia, Hugo and Anthony Rawlinson - Breast Cancer Now

Claire O’Hara - Centrepoint

Vicky and Oliver Sweeney - Child Bereavement UK

Joanne Graham - Children with Cancer UK

Mikey Neville - CLIC Sargent, Sarcoma UK and The Sussex Snowdrop Trust

Sandeep Chauhan - Diabetes UK

Nathan Rutter - Farleigh Hospice

Mel Elliott and James Parker - Get Kids Going

Michelle Lobl - Jami

Emma Pearson - JOEL: The Complete Package

Steve Edwards - Kate’s Home Nursing

Ashley Brittain - The Laura Centre

Sophie Holt - Mind

Graham Sturge - Pancreatic Cancer UK

Nicholas Butter - Prostate Cancer UK

Robert Jenkins, Robert Jenkins Jnr and Iwan Jenkins - Raft

Barry Carpenter - Shelter

Chelsey Hickman - Stroke Association

Timothy Mills - Teenage Cancer Trust

Laura Goodbourn - World Cancer Research Fund

Sue Strachan is running the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon to prove to herself and those around her that dementia will not hold her back from completing the 26.2-mile route.

Sue was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014 after an episode of amnesia in December 2012 led to memory loss for a whole day. Following numerous test, she was eventually diagnosed in September 2014 and took up running to help improve her mental and physical wellbeing. She is running this year’s London Marathon for the first time, raising money for the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“I am on a mission to challenge people’s perceptions of dementia and I want to prove that someone with dementia can run a marathon,” she says. “My doctor advised that getting fit would help me to manage my symptoms and stay positive. I did the Couch to 5k NHS programme, starting off walking for a minute, running for a minute and built it up to 30 minutes of running.”

After completing the Couch to 5k, one of Sue’s first ambitions was to complete a half marathon before she was 60, which she successfully did in October 2015. Now she has set her sights on what she calls “the big one”, the Virgin Money London Marathon.

She says: “When I completed the half marathon I said I was never going to do something like that again; but then I decided to apply for the London Marathon. Training has been great; it’s good to have something to focus on and a long-term goal.”

Training for a marathon while dealing with the symptoms of vascular dementia has not been without its challenges. Sue’s condition means she often gets very tired, while short-term memory problems and loss of her sense of direction means she has to carefully plan her running routes.

“One of the questions people always ask me when they hear I’m training for a marathon is do I ever get lost when I’m out running,” she explains. “I have to ensure I plot my routes before I go. I stick to the same routes around where I live. I know all the landmarks, but I often can’t remember the order they come in. However, I’ve only got lost once so far and although it was upsetting I got re-oriented and made my way home okay.”

There are around 850,000 people in the UK with dementia, of which around 20 per cent have vascular dementia, the second most common form behind Alzheimer’s disease, and Sue is determined to contribute to the research and fundraising Alzheimer’s Research UK do.

She says: “I want to do as much as possible while I am still able, to raise awareness of dementia and fundraise for research in the hope that one day there will be a cure for this awful disease.”

Supporting her on the day will be her partner Sheila and other friends and family, along with members of the Alzheimer’s Research UK team.

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/strawny

When their mum, Penny, died of secondary breast cancer in May 2017, siblings Georgia, Hugo and Anthony were determined to turn their heartache into a positive by running this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon for Breast Cancer Now.

The three, who all live in London, were shocked and devastated when their mum died suddenly in May 2017.

Georgia says: “Our mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and at that stage we were told it had been caught early enough, despite being quite aggressive. The prognosis was very positive. She then had nine months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and eventually a lumpectomy, after which we were given good news and she was able to go back to work.

“But in the background she had lots of weird things going on – she was very breathless, kept breaking bones, had terrible back pain – all while being told she had the all-clear. Eventually she went to the doctors and was told she had a kidney infection but it kept getting worse. She was given a very bad diagnosis on 3 May 2017 and five days later we lost her. Our whole lives shattered.”

The family later found out that Penny had been suffering from undiagnosed secondary breast cancer, something the mammograms failed to show. Secondary breast cancer is when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body and is currently incurable but controllable through correct diagnosis and treatment. In Penny’s case, it had spread to her heart cavity – an extremely rare form of cancer.

Georgia explains: “The cancer had become secondary quite a long time before but it had been missed and spread very aggressively; it was everywhere. She had a very rare form of cancer in the heart cavity which baffled all the doctors. We haven’t really had an explanation for it but I don’t think any of us have had the strength to get into it yet.”

Totally unprepared for their mother’s death, after being reassured she was all-clear, the siblings are now facing a future without their mum.

“Mum was the type of person who was dedicated to doing good for others; she was so kind and caring” says Georgia. “We know that if there’s one thing we can do to make a positive out of all of this it will be to make sure no-one else has to go through what we have, and that’s something she would want us to do and be proud of us for doing.”

After doing their research, they decided to run the London Marathon in support of Breast Cancer Now, the leading specialists in secondary breast cancer, to help support their work in learning more about the disease and its symptoms.

“One of the things that’s really important about our story, and something we want to focus on, is that mum had lots of warning signs – she had lots of pain in her back, she had a broken shoulder from a small knock, she had terrible breathlessness,” says Georgia. “She went to the doctors about all of these things and no-one put two and two together; no-one looked at her records to see that she’d recently had breast cancer.”

Her family believe that if the signs had been heeded they would have been better prepared for their mother’s death, and they want to help make sure medical professionals have the information they need to make correct and prompt diagnoses. Penny would have turned 60 in October this year, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the trio are hoping to raise in excess of £60,000 in her memory for Breast Cancer Now.

“The London Marathon is a challenge but we’re all sporty people,” says Georgia. “The idea of running relentlessly for 26.2-miles is an idea I’m not very familiar with; it’s been a bit of a steep learning curve. Hugo has previously run marathons and half marathons so he’s hopefully leader of the pack!”

They will be supported on the day by their friends and family, including their most recent addition. “About a month after we lost mum, Anthony found out his wife was pregnant so we’re going to have our newest team member with us and cheering us on at the London Marathon,” says Georgia.

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/pennyrawlinson

Mum-of-one Claire is running this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon after losing a staggering eight stone since December 2016, having struggled to lose weight and get fit after giving birth to her son William in late 2015.

William was born prematurely in December 2015 and after a three-month recovery in hospital, Claire’s eating and lifestyle habits had spiralled out of control, tipping her weight to over 18st.

“It was literally a case of eating whatever was convenient and I never exercised,” she says. “I lived in leggings and baggy, oversized tops. I just thought I’d hide everything. I would never go out and walk. It was pure laziness, but I also used to think people would be staring at me and talking about me.”

After her young son started to become active and Claire couldn’t keep up with him, she decided it was time for a change and joined her local Slimming World group, where she was encouraged to swap her unhealthy lifestyle for home-cooked, healthy meals and exercise.

Claire says: “I was an overweight woman and took myself to my local Sliming World group where I started my transformation journey at 18 stone 4 pounds. I’ve pushed myself to my extremes, mentally

and physically. During my journey I decided to take up running; I couldn’t walk when I first started but I persisted and it paid off.”

Now preparing to run all 26.2-miles of the London Marathon for the charity Centrepoint, Claire explains it was the homeless people she would see on her training runs that convinced her she needed to do something to help them.

She says: “When I was out running I would run passed train stations and bus stops and I would see young homeless people; it really shone a light on homelessness. I used to think while running that there must be help and support out there for them, and that’s when I found Centrepoint.”

The homeless charity supports more than 9,200 homeless young people each year throughout the UK, helping to provide them with the support and encouragement they need to turn their lives around.

“Centrepoint help 16-25 year olds into a safe place to live, give them a health assessment and plan support for their individual mental and physical needs. I hope by me running the London Marathon I will raise funds and awareness for Centrepoint,” says the 29-year old.

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-o-hara2

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Vicky and Oliver are running the Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of their daughter Imogen who was stillborn in 2010, and are hoping to raise £2,500 for the charity Child Bereavement UK.

“Imogen’s death changed our lives forever,” says Vicky. “At the time, after an initial period of unbearable shock and devastation, we coped by keeping ourselves as busy as possible and we didn’t allow any time for each other.”

Struggling to cope with the loss of their daughter while also looking after their three older children, Vicky and Oliver decided to join a local running club to improve their mental and physical health.

Vicky says: “I really struggled to move forward and realised that I needed a positive focus in my life. My husband has always enjoyed running and, being a Londoner, it has been his lifetime ambition to run the London Marathon. We decided to join a running club to give us a positive focus and to provide us with some quality time together.”

Committed to the idea of running the London Marathon, Vicky and Oliver secured places with Child Bereavement UK, the charity who helped them deal with their grief and supported them through the difficult task of explaining what had happened to their children.

“The charity were there for us in our hour of need and gave us invaluable support in telling our children about their sister. Managing our own grief was painful enough, but having to also manage our children’s grief nearly broke us completely,” explains Vicky.

“Telling them the news that we wouldn’t be bringing their much-wanted baby sister home was without doubt the hardest part of all. The charity came to our rescue and answered our call for help. I can’t thank them enough and it’s an absolute pleasure to be running for them, raising awareness and supporting the fantastic work they do.”

The couple are also running in memory of Oliver’s cousin’s son, Edward, who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) shortly before Imogen died, aged six months old.

Oliver says: “Imogen’s death came just seven months after my cousin lost her beloved six month old son from SIDS and her family have also been left with a very big and deeply painful hole in their lives.”

Supporting Vicky and Oliver on the day will be their three children, Alice, 12, Samuel, 10, and Charlie, six, and Edward’s mum Liz, along with many friends who will be dotted along the course to cheer them on.

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Imogen2010

Joanne’s dream of running the Virgin Money London Marathon will becoming a reality on 22 April this year, as she runs her first ever London Marathon for the charity Children with Cancer UK.

Joanne began running over six years ago when a New Year’s Eve party prompted her to make some lifestyle changes, including signing up for her first half marathon.

She says: “I started running because someone asked me what had happened to me. When questioned she said, ‘you used to be thin’. For me, that was that; the next day I went out for a run. I always made excuses – I can’t run, I have asthma etc. – but I made no excuses that day and two days after running to the end of the road, and nearly collapsing out of breath, I signed up for the Sheffield Half Marathon. I haven’t looked back since.”

Since then, Joanne has gone on to complete several half marathons and three marathons, including the Snowdonia Trail Half marathon in Wales. However,

ever since she laced up her running trainers in January 2012vJoanne’s dream has been to run the London Marathon and this year, thanks to a charity place with Children with Cancer UK, she will fulfil that dream.

“The London Marathon is a race I have always watched and to me it is my ultimate dream. This year I get to live the dream, and I will enjoy every minute,” says the mum of two.

Running for Children with Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer, was an easy decision she says: “I have two healthy children of my own and I couldn’t imagine what life would be without them. I want to raise as much as I can to help this magnificent charity and raise awareness.”

Hoping to raise £4,000, Joanne can’t wait for race day: “I am running the greatest marathon in the world and I will enjoy, and love, every minute.”

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/joanne-graham18

After his daughter was diagnosed with cancer aged four, Mikey knew he had to do something to help raise funds and awareness for cancer charities, and so he is running the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon for CLIC Sargent, Sarcoma UK and The Sussex Snowdrop Trust.

In September 2017, Mikey’s young daughter Snowdrop (Snowy) was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer which affects 4 in one million children.

Mikey says: “In her first week of school, a lump grew aggressively above Snowy’s eye. Within days, the tumour was removed and she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. Our life shattered into a million incomprehensible pieces. I will never forget the moment we were told our little girl had cancer.”

Describing his daughter as “funny, loving, creative and curious”, Mikey’s focus after the devastating diagnosis turned to how best he could help and support Snowy’s recovery.

“I ran – physically and emotionally,” says the 39-year old. “Running was my way out and on her first day of treatment, I went out and did a 10k. I had already done my usual 1,500m swim so I thought I would find closure on this significant day by completing the Triathlon with a 40k bike ride. From that day on, I did the same.”

And from there sprung the TriEveryDay4Snowy campaign, compromising of a 1.5k swim, a 40k bike ride and a 10k run every single day. Supported by his wife Polly, and their two-year old daughter Posy,

Mikey has so far raised over £16,000 for his chosen charities and the London Marathon will mark his 200th consecutive Olympic Triathlon and the end of Snowy’s treatment. By then she will have undergone six months of chemotherapy and Proton Beam therapy in the USA.

“Snowy’s love of life continues to grow exponentially each day. Her bravery has been the catalyst for this fundraising project. It represents the desire to dig in and fight but, much more importantly, it has evolved into a mission to bring love and recognition to families in this situation and the bravery of the people we have met along the way,” says Mikey.

He is also encouraging others to do their bit to help those suffering from childhood cancers and take on the challenge of running, swimming or cycling whatever distances they are capable of achieving. He says: “Get out there and do it now. A jog around the park, a couple of lengths in the local pool, or a quick spin on the bike. And when you complete your TriEveryDay4Snowy, ask a loved one to donate money for your efforts.”

The money raised will be split between CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families; Sarcoma UK, the only cancer charity in the UK focussed solely on research into all types of sarcoma; and The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, who provide nursing care at home for local children with life-threatening illnesses. Mikey, who describes the London Marathon as “the best in the world”, will be cheered on by wife Polly and daughters Snowy and Posy, along with other family and friends.

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROSomeoneSpecialPage?pageUrl=TriEveryDay4Snowy

Sandeep is running the Virgin Money London Marathon to raise money for Diabetes UK after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in May 2015.

After his diagnosis Sandeep decided to make some lifestyle changes and joined a running club, Kimberley and District Striders, with whom he runs on a regular basis. After being unsuccessful in the public ballot, Sandeep successfully applied for a charity place with Diabetes UK who do vital work in trying to under-stand and treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

He says: “I’ve said that I’ll only ever do one marathon and it has to be the London Marathon. Hopefully the money I raise for Diabetes UK can help others whose diabetes affects them more than it does me. I want to help the research into diabetes so that one day we may be able to fully understand it and how best to combat it.”

The condition runs in Sandeep’s family and he knows others who are less fortunate than himself, who rely on the use of medication to keep their diabetes under control. He is hoping his London Marathon training will help keep the condition stable.

“I’m fortunate that I can control my diabetes with diet and exercise, but having to take medication isn’t far off,” he says. “I want to lose weight, improve my health and general fitness and see how long I can stay off medication. The Virgin Money London Marathon is the first step in a lifelong battle to control my diabe-tes.”

Members of the Diabetes UK team will be cheering Sandeep on throughout Race Day, along with his fiancé, parents and brother. His fellow running club members will be cheering him on from their sofas back in Nottingham.

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/sandeepc-vlm2018

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NathanRutter

Nathan is running the Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of his brother-in-law, Andy Quinnear, who died of bowel cancer in September 2014. He is raising money for Farleigh House in Essex, the hospice that cared for Andy in his final days.

He says: “Farleigh Hospice gave an unbelievable amount of support to Andy in his final few weeks. They provided a huge amount of loving care towards Andy and his family and friends during our time of need.”

The hospice relies heavily on the help of volunteers and the generous donations of the local community to make a difference to the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses and their bereaved families.

Andy worked tirelessly in his local area as part of the Chelmsford Community Safety Team and his death was a huge loss to all who knew him. Nathan is running to keep his memory alive and to help others in a similar position.

He says: “I felt there would be no better way to remember Andy than by running the London Marathon. I know he’ll be looking down smiling away at not only me, but every person who will be running alongside me. Andy was always a big support in our family and I know he’ll be there throughout the journey.”

Supporting and encouraging him along the 26.2-mile route will be his family and friends, and he’s looking forward to seeing the spectacular Finish Line on The Mall.

“I’ve been told there are certain parts of the course that make for a great atmosphere. Those are the sorts of moments I won’t forget,” he says. “Obviously the pain is something I won’t be looking forward to, but once I see the Finish Line I’ll know the pain was worth every step.”

Mel and James will be spending most of their wedding day in trainers as they prepare to run the Virgin Money London Marathon hours after tying the knot in Greenwich.

The couple, who have been together for over 20 years, have decided this is the year to finally get hitched and to mark the occasion they have chosen to run the London Marathon for the charity Get Kids Going!

Mel says: “As keen runners we wanted to do the London Marathon together and what better opportunity to do it but as newlyweds. Within days of securing the charity places, I had the registrars and venue booked. The ceremony will take place at 7.30am in Greenwich to give us plenty of time to get to the Start Line, while our guests can enjoy a bacon butty and a cuppa.”

The couple have requested that all their guests

donate to Get Kids Going! instead of buying them a wedding gift, and they hope to raise nearly £4,000 for the charity.

She says: “As an established family already we thought we could raise funds for a charitable cause by asking our family and friends to donate as a wedding gift - who needs more household stuff after all these years anyway?

“Get Kids Going! is an amazing charity. They facilitate amazing opportunities for children with a physical disability to get involved in sport.”

Cheering them on throughout the day will be their nine year old daughter Jess, a keen runner herself, and a handful of wedding guests who will be waiting to start the celebrations once Mel and James cross the Finish Line in front of Buckingham Palace.

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MelAndJames

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MicheleLobl

First-time marathon runner Michelle is taking part in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon raising money for the charity Jami, a mental health service for the Jewish community.

Michelle, who turns 60 this year, is running for Jami after they supported her and her family in the aftermath of her husband’s suicide attempt in 2011.

She says: “In October 2011 my husband (David) attempted suicide. This day changed our lives forever. My daughter and I had to put our lives on hold to take on a caretaker role we’d never experienced, and deal with emotions I can only hope most never have to deal with.”

The incident made Michelle determined to be open and honest with those around her, and to never shy away from dealing with mental health issues.

“Mental illness still holds a stigma and it’s a taboo subject to talk about. It’s understandable that most people avoid the discussion and have little understanding of its impact. Mental health is an issue that needs to be taken seriously and spoken about frequently. Although the condition cannot easily be seen it is shocking to learn how many people we know have been affected by depression and many other mental health issues that normally go unspoken about.”

As Michelle and her family found out, mental health issues are debilitating for the sufferer but they often chose to live with their illness in silence, unable to

express their emotions or anxieties to those around them.

Michelle says: “David struggled silently and we were oblivious to the internal pain he dealt with daily. His inability to talk to us has made it apparent many others continue to silently struggle. When David first came home after his hospitalisation I felt afraid and anxious. No-one really tells you how to cope, or how to react and deal with the aftermath (of suicide).”

On hand to give advice and support to Michelle and her daughter Sophie was the charity Jami, who work to bridge the gap between government funding and required levels of mental health care.

“Jami’s work includes improving education, supporting individuals in their daily routine, addressing housing needs, reducing isolation, offering employment opportunities and liaising with government departments,” says the 59-year old.

Having started training for the London Marathon last summer, Michelle is well on track for the 26.2-mile race in April and is looking forward to the getting to the finish on The Mall.

She says: “I am most looking forward to crossing the finish line; hopefully feeling elated and excited and a huge sense of achievement! Seeing what my final fundraising total is - and finally receiving the medal – will be amazing.”

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmmaPeapod82

Emma is running the Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of her sons James and Noel who were stillborn in 2011. She will be fundraising for the charity JOEL: The Complete Package, the charity she set up in their memory.

After losing her twin sons, Emma has since given birth to two healthy babies, Sebastian and Polly, and is hoping to help others in similar situations. Her and her husband, Matthew, founded the charity in 2012 after they discovered a lack of support throughout their first rainbow pregnancy – the term used to refer to a baby born after a loss.

“My husband and I set up JOEL after the birth of Sebastian, to offer support and information to families suffering with the devastation of loss and the fear and anxiety of subsequent pregnancies,” says the 36-year old.

The charity supports families nationwide through the loss of a baby and any future pregnancies, with much of the support being provided by people who have experienced similar losses and want to help others.

“The wonderful members of our online support group are some of the bravest and most inspiring people I have ever met,” she says. “In their own times of anxiety and sadness they offer hope, positivity and support to others in need.”

Running has helped Emma deal with the loss of James and Noel and has given her a new focus after the birth of Sebastian and Polly.

She says: “I took up running to improve my mental wellbeing. Pregnancy and parenting after loss can be emotionally tough, and running has helped me tremendously.

“I have always watched the London Marathon and been very envious of everyone taking part. I have never been sporty or into exercise, but after three unsuccessful ballot applications I am finally in!”

Emma is hoping to raise over £1,000 for her charity.

For the majority of those running this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon it will be a once in a lifetime experience. Not for Steve who will complete his 23rd London Marathon, number 820 in his quest to set a new world record for running 1,000 official marathons in the fastest average finish time, sub 3hr 30.

Steve’s running career began in 1981 when he ran the first ever London Marathon aged 18, vowing never to do it again. However, something clicked and Steve was caught by the running bug.

He says: “When I look back I feel incredibly fortunate and privileged to have achieved all that I have from marathon running and, although this has given me a great sense of personal achievement, the greater reward has been inspiring others and helping raise money and awareness for various charities.”

Having already completed 819 marathons, all under 3hr 20, Steve will be hoping his lucky streak continues

in London, with much hard work and determination getting him to the Start Line in April.

He says: “Trying to maintain the motivation to keep going day in, day out, year after year, has at times been incredibly difficult, but I take it one training session and one race at a time.”

This year Steve will raise funds for Kate’s Home Nursing, a small charity based in Gloucestershire which provides palliative home care for patients in the latter stages of terminal illness, where his wife Teresa is a volunteer.

“The specialised care and support which facilitates the process of allowing terminally ill patients the dignity and comfort of reaching the end of their life in familiar surroundings at home, in the company of loved ones, is a service only charities such as Kate’s can provide,” says the 55-year old.

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/teamedwards1000

Ashley is running the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of his daughter Dora, who died suddenly of a sepsis infection eight years ago. He is raising money for the charity The Laura Centre who offer specialist bereavement counselling to parents and children or young people who have been bereaved.

Ashley says: “Dora died the day before her sixth birthday, of sepsis caused by a Strep A infection. It was unexpected, devastating and it changed me forever. At first, I disappeared. I found my normal life a very difficult place to be. As time has passed I’ve found a way to live with my grief and I carry it everywhere I go.”

Overcome by his young daughter’s death, Ashley found solace in running and has made him determined to turn his family’s grief into a positive and help keep Dora’s memory alive.

“I think about Dora all the time – the life we had, the things we did, how she might be today, the simply brilliant girls she was. I’m proud to be running the London Marathon in memory of Dora. Running keeps me positive, it gives me purpose, helps clear my mind, helps me remember my beautiful girl,” says the 43-year old.

Many couples would have struggled to cope after losing a child, but Ashley credits his wife, Cathy, and their sons, Joey, Eddie and Artie, on getting him through the hardest time of their lives.

He says: “I’m proud of how my wife and I have coped. I’m proud of our marriage, our boys and the brilliant people we are lucky enough to surround ourselves with.”

Among those helping to support the Brittain’s has been the charity The Laura Centre who work with bereaved families in Leicester, Derby and Coventry.“My wife received professional counselling through the charity when she was really struggling, helping her to find a new way to continue living without our daughter,” says Ashley. “She now volunteers at The Laura Centre in Derby, running a support group for bereaved parents.”

He is hoping to raise over £2,500 for the charity and, although the training has been tough at times, he is determined to get to the finish line in April for his daughter.

He says: “It’s hard going out in the dark and cold after a day at work (to train) but Dora gets me through.”

Fundraising link: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ashleybrittain

First time marathon runner Sophie is running the Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of her sister, Gemma, who committed suicide in 2015 after suffering with mental health issues.

Gemma was 23 years old when she took her own life and her younger sister Sophie believes the stigma surrounding mental health contributed to Gemma not being able to get the help she needed.

She says: “Mental illness can affect anyone no matter their race, age, religion. I believe that if we spoke more freely about our mental health, without stigma, those who suffer would not feel as though they have to suffer alone and would seek the help they need.”

Sophie has chosen to fundraise for the charity MIND and is hoping to raise £2,500, to say thank you for the support they provided her and her family after Gemma’s death, while also hoping to contribute to the charity’s ability to help more people.

“I often found myself on their website following my sister’s death after not being able to sleep for days

on end. I found their bereavement information very helpful,” explains the 21-year old. “MIND is a charity that means a lot to me because they work every day to tackle the stigma around mental health. They offer crisis helplines to those who feel like they are in the darkest parts of their lives.”

Training for the London Marathon has been a challenge for Sophie, but she is determined to get to the Start Line in Greenwich this April and is looking forward to seeing her mum cheer her on along the 26.2-mile course.

“Running in the cold and wet is a lot harder than I’d ever imagined but the fact that I’m running for a great cause, and in memory of my sister, is enough motivation to put my trainers on and keep going,” she says.

“My mum will be supporting me on Race Day and I know it will mean a lot to her that I’m doing this in memory of Gemma.”

Fundraising link: virginmoneygiving.com/SophieHolt3

Graham is running the Virgin Money London Marathon for the fourth time this year as he sets himself the challenge of raising £5,000 for the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of his father John.

He completed the 2017 London Marathon just hours after his father passed away and is set to return to London to mark the first anniversary of his death.

He says: “My father was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February 2016, aged 66. In January a scan had picked up a tumour on his liver following some stomach pain. That was quickly then diagnosed as terminal pancreatic cancer. The following few weeks were terrible for him and my Mother. The two of them had been together since they were teenagers and did everything together. It was a very difficult time for the whole family.”

Having been given the diagnosis, Graham and his brothers rallied around their parents and spent as much time as possible with their father, hoping to make more memories for him and his grandchildren. But as the months went on, John’s health deteriorated.

Graham says: “By February 2017 we knew the end was coming and so we continued as much as we could to hold family events. He so wanted to make it to watch the Virgin Money London Marathon (last April) and drive others to donate to Pancreatic Cancer UK. The two weeks before (the race) he became very ill and on the Tuesday we started a bedside vigil as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

“At 11.45pm on Saturday 22 April 2017 he passed

away. The following day I was at the start line of the London Marathon. Together we raised over £10,500 for Pancreatic Cancer UK and he was desperate that I ran it.”

Graham was encouraged around the 26.2-miles by the memory of his father and the amazing support of the crowd and his fellow runners.

He says: “Around the five mile mark I broke down in floods of tears and felt this would be the first race I would not finish. Luckily, two people from my village running group saw the three purple balloons above my head as they approached me. They supported and carried me through the most emotional five hours of my life; running, crying, walking my way to the end.”

Supporting Graham and his family through their grief has been his chosen charity, Pancreatic Cancer UK, who fund innovative research into finding a breakthrough that will change how pancreatic cancer is understood, diagnosed and treated. Hoping to raise another £5,000 for the charity, Graham is looking forward to having some familiar faces along the course on race day this year.

“The London Marathon is iconic and now holds a special place in my heart following the fundraising I did with Dad running up to last year’s race,” he says. “My wife and running friends will be there on the day, but also hopefully my Mum to try and mark the first anniversary of Dad’s passing with something extremely positive. She has only previously watched on TV so it will be an amazing atmosphere to help her through the day.”

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GrahamSturge2018

Nick Butter is on a mission to complete 196 marathons, including the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon, across 196 countries in 550 days, setting eight world records as he goes.

The 28-year old is a self-proclaimed ultra-runner, explorer, adventurer and charity fundraiser. He has set himself the enormous challenge of running a marathon in every country in the world, covering all seven continents, and hopes to raise £250,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Having begun his journey on 6 January this year, Nick will return to London to run the Virgin Money London Marathon on 22 April, having already completed 37 marathons.

He says: “In total I will run over 5100 miles, spending on average 60 hours in each country to complete the 26.2-miles, facing each nation’s unique obstacles, be it hostile environments, areas of political instability, the heat of the world’s deserts and of course the extreme cold of places like Antarctica.”

Keeping him motivated on his round-the-world record attempt will be the thought of his friend Kevin Webber who, in 2014, was diagnosed with incurable advanced prostate cancer, aged 49.

“I met Kevin at the Marathon des Sables in 2016 and, despite chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a daily routine of drugs, it has not stopped him running

marathons and ultramarathons raising money and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK. The whole expedition is for Kevin.” he says.

A young father of three, Kevin was initially given a two-year prognosis but is now over three years on from that day and has himself raised £200,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. Nick says of his friend: “This extraordinary man is not only one of the most positive and happy people I’ve ever met but he has made a huge impact on me and how I live my life.”

Prostate Cancer UK fights to help more men survive prostate cancer, which is currently the most common cancer in men in the UK, accounting for 25% of all cancer diagnoses. The charity supports men with vital information and services.

Nick says: “I hope to return having raised over £250,000 for the charity and helped shout about how men need to get themselves checked. Raising these funds will contribute towards saving hundreds of lives. “Prostate Cancer UK have set themselves the toughest challenge yet: to stop prostate cancer being a killer. The aim is to catch it earlier and treat it more effectively, eradicating the cancer entirely or helping the man survive with it for so long that he won’t actually die from the disease. But they can only make that happen with extra funding and support.”

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/runningtheworld

Three generations of the same family will take on the Virgin Money London Marathon, all in support of the medical research charity RAFT. Robert (Bob) Jenkins (81), his son Robert Alun Jenkins (49) and grandson Iwan Fesnoux (20) will be running together to raise money for a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults that have suffered physical trauma.

A seasoned runner, Bob has run every London Marathon since 1993 and has raised over £50,000 for RAFT, recently becoming a patron. His son Robert has followed in his footsteps and raised over £25,000 since they were first introduced to the charity.

“After we had our first place through RAFT (in 1993), we attended one of their open evenings and found out more about what they did and thought ‘if you’re going to put yourself through that much pain it should be for a good cause’, which RAFT is,” he says.

“They undertake research into new methods for reconstructive surgery, help develop innovative new treatments for cancers, burns, birth defects, prosthetics and wound healing which are used all over the world,” says the octogenarian.

Despite running 20 marathons, Bob is not a fan of running and does it simply to raise funds and awareness for the charity. He did, however, beat his son in the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon after they started the race from different starts. He explains: “On three occasions we have run the London Marathon together, including 2017, where I finished in 5:44 and beat him after he waited 20 minutes for me at four miles.”

This year they will be joined by Bob’s 20-year old grandson Iwan, who decided to run after seeing first-hand the work the charity do.

Bob says: “After doing a placement with RAFT at Easter, for his Bio-Medical Studies degree at Cardiff and, on seeing their work, he decided he wanted to run for them as well.”

Their family will be cheering them on along the route, although Robert Jnr’s wife is expecting their first child in April so will be cheering her husband on from the sofa.

The trio hope to raise £4,000 for the charity.

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Jenkins3GenerationsVMLM

Nearly 30 years ago Barry Carpenter was a homeless 17-year old living on the streets of London. Now, having turned his life around, Barry will complete the Virgin Money London Marathon for the homeless charity Shelter.

Since the age of 14, Barry had been living in care in his home town of Eastbourne, switching from various children’s homes and foster care to supported living placements. Regarded as a bad influence on his peers, Barry found himself placed in a bedsit under supervision and given six months to improve his life.He says: “I was given six months to get myself straight with lots of assistance from care professionals but, again, I let myself down by not accepting their help and advice.

“When the placement ended I turned to private rentals, live-in-work and homeless bed and breakfasts, but I messed them all up and it was then I decided to move to London.”

While in London, Barry was approached by a film crew to film his life as a homeless teenager in the city. He agreed and in April 1990, the documentary aired on Channel 4 with many offers of help flooding in for the teenager.

“If I had shown any willingness at all to the offers I received (after the documentary) then I am sure that more offers would have materialised, although even the offers I did receive I managed to ruin,” says the 45-year old. “When I look back at the documentary now I watch in despair at how unhelpful and impossible I was to help, when really I was a scared and frightened little boy.”

Barry’s attitude as a young man hindered his opportunities to prosper and he found himself alone and fending for himself.

He says: “We’ve all got our problems; nobody is perfect, but I’m still here and I’m still living. There was a time I didn’t want to be here anymore, and unfortunately because of the way I’d used people and never given anything back people had closed the door on me.

“A woman called Linda, who is my guardian angel, saved me from ending it all one night. She was a local youth worker and councillor and, although at the time I wasn’t a youth anymore, she helped me turn myself around, and I suppose really I grew up.”

Having finally changed his fortunes, Barry, now a taxi driver, is on a new health and fitness regime to get himself ready for the London Marathon, and he is looking forward to being able to help raise funds and awareness for Shelter.

He says: “I have never been a runner but now I’m in training for what is renowned as the best marathon in the world, and for me I will finally be able to give back to a homeless charity, help other homeless people and raise awareness of homelessness.” The 26.2-mile course won’t be an easy one for him though, with parts of the route providing timely reminders of the life he used to live.

“The final stages of the London Marathon route will take me past seven doorways that were home to me during my time on the streets, one in particular has very bitter memories. I slept there one night and when I woke up I had been urinated on because I was homeless and dirty,” he says.

Barry’s London Marathon journey will be a chance for him help make sure others don’t experience a similar fate.

Fundraising link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BarryCarpenter

Chelsey is running her first Virgin Money London Marathon to raise money for the Stroke Association after her dad Gary suffered a life-changing stroke in September 2015.

“While it (the stroke) threatened to take my dad away, and two years later some days are still challenging, we’ve been incredibly lucky to have him here alongside as we fight back,” she says.

In the year that followed her dad’s stroke he underwent heart and brain surgery, while battling crippling anxiety attacks. Her mum took on the difficult role of carer for her previously fit and active husband, the whole family lived with the shadow of uncertainty over them. Trying to navigate an uncertain future, staff at the Stroke Association helped provide them with the support they needed to move forward.

Chelsey says: “The impact of the stroke on our lives has been confusing, unpredictable and traumatic, but for many families the consequences are completely devastating. The support of the Stroke Association has been a guiding light when things were uncertain, providing both physical and psychological support to my dad, but also to all of us around him on his journey to recovery.”

While Chelsey’s dad is not fully recovered from his stroke he is hoping to be in London in April to see his daughter complete the London Marathon.

“My dad is my hero, my knight in shining armour and my biggest inspiration,” she says. “I can’t wait to see his face when I’ve crossed the Finish Line.”

Chelsey is hoping to raise over £2,000 for her charity.

Fundraising link: justgiving.com/fundraising/chelsey-hickman92

Timothy Mills is running the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon for Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), this year’s official Charity of the Year, after being treated for acute lymphoblastic lymphoma in August 2014, aged 20.

Timothy was taking part in an Ocean Lava Event, a Half Ironman, in Fishguard nearly four years ago when he began to feel unwell. Despite struggling to breathe, Timothy completed the event but was later taken to a local hospital, where he continued to deteriorate.

“During the race my chest felt tight and I was struggling to get my breathing right,” he says. “My symptoms got worse and I was struggling to eat, breathe or sleep. Eventually, after three days, I went to A&E at Withybush Hospital.”

He was soon transferred to Morriston Hospital where a biopsy confirmed he was suffering from acute

lymphoblastic lymphoma, one of the most common forms of leukaemia in young people. His treatment was then transferred to University Hospital Wales where he was first introduced to TCT.

He says: “Being supported by Teenage Cancer Trust made my journey ten times easier. The amazing nurses are so enthusiastic about the work they do, and I met some inspirational people on the unit.”

Having completed his treatment on 12 January this year, Timothy is now looking forward to being able to give back to the charity that helped him and his family throughout his illness. He says: “I am hoping to fulfil one of the many things on my bucket list by completing the London Marathon for a remarkable charity.”

He will be cheered on by his girlfriend and parents on the day.

Fundraising link: virginmoneygiving.com/TimIssacMills

First-time marathon runner Laura is running this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon in memory of her father, Robert (Bob) Mayes, who died of a rare cancer in September 2017.

As a Clinical Trials Facilitator, Laura knew she wanted to raise money for a cancer charity, preferably one that funds research, and so she successfully applied for a charity place with World Cancer Research Fund UK, hoping to raise over £2,000.

Laura says: “When I found out dad had cancer I decided to apply for the London Marathon. Dad said to me ‘you better get training’ and ‘I wish I could do it with you’.

“It was such a shock when he passed away and it’s going to take us a long time to truly accept that we won’t see him again. He was such an amazing man

and he was loved by everyone who met him.”

Having never run before Laura is fully committed to her marathon endeavor and is putting the miles in to ensure she is ready come race day, recently completing the Plymouth 10K in 1hr 07.

Motivated by the memory of her dad to get her to the Start Line, Laura will be reminded of him when she looks down at the trainer tags he bought her not long before he passed away, which say ‘When your legs get tired…run with your heart’.

“I know Dad would have loved to have been there and celebrate with me at the end,” she says. “Instead I have him with me every step of the way. Now whenever I have a wobble and wonder if I can actually do it, I will just think of him.”

Fundraising link: virginmoneygiving.com/LauraGoodbourn