My Story

This year, Ant and I are taking on the incredible challenge of running the London Marathon 2026 in loving memory of my Dad. We’re raising money for Kidney Research UK — a charity that means more to us than words can express.

For those who know us, you’ll already understand how deeply personal this is. For those who don’t, I’d like to share why this cause sits so close to our hearts.

In January, we lost my Dad to kidney failure. For 26 years, he fought a battle that most people never see. His journey began back in 2000, when he started kidney dialysis — three times a week, five hours at a time — all while continuing to work full time and refusing to let illness define him. His strength was extraordinary.

Then, in 2012, our lives changed forever. My incredible Mum gave him the greatest gift anyone could give: a kidney. Through a paired exchange programme, she donated her kidney to someone she’d never met, and in return, my Dad received a kidney that was a perfect match. It was a moment of pure hope — a second chance at life.

For a while, that gift gave him back his independence, his energy, and his smile. But in recent years, the donated kidney began to fail. He returned to dialysis, and as he grew older, he became more vulnerable to infections and complications. Watching someone you love go through this is devastating — a constant cycle of hope, fear, and heartbreak.

Losing him has shattered our hearts, but it has also strengthened our determination to honour his legacy. As a family, we’re committed to making a difference. With the support of Kidney Research UK, we’re raising awareness of kidney disease, especially in high‑risk communities, and we’re organising fundraising events to help push vital research forward. Every donation you make doesn’t just support groundbreaking science — it brings us closer to a future where families don’t have to endure what ours has.

Running the London Marathon will be the biggest challenge Ant and I have ever taken on. With the support of our amazing running club, we’ll be training hard, pushing ourselves, and carrying my Dad’s memory with us every step of the way.

If you’re able to support us — whether through a donation, sharing our page, or cheering us on — we would be incredibly grateful. Your kindness will help us reach our fundraising goal and, more importantly, help change lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. Every mile we run is for my Dad, for families like mine, and for a future where kidney disease no longer steals the people we love.

With love and gratitude, Ant & Mandy