My Story

In 1992, my brother Steven died of leukaemia when he was just 4, and my parents and I were among the first families supported by The Laura Centre. I was 6 at the time. I’m now 40 and have lived most of my life without my brother. My two sons, Theo and Charlie, have never had the chance to know their kind, funny, carefree uncle.

In 2002, my dad, Dave, ran the London Marathon in memory of Steven. We planned to complete the marathon together in 2025, a month before my 40th birthday. Tragically, my dad died suddenly in November 2023. I felt I owed it to both Steven and my dad to run the marathon in their memory.

I began training for the 2025 marathon, but in January 2025, my husband, Rich, died suddenly. Trying to care for my two young sons while navigating such enormous grief made it impossible to train. I couldn’t finish what I started.

Now, I am beginning training again for the London Marathon 2026. This time, I have even more reason to raise money for The Laura Centre. I now have first-hand, recent experience of how they help families like mine: my eldest son Theo is currently on a waiting list for their services, and they are helping me rebuild my broken family once again.

I have seen how much the work of The Laura Centre has grown through donations over the years. As a teacher, I also recommend their services to families I work with who find themselves in the same heartbreaking situation I was in as a child — and now as a parent. Fundraising is vital to keep this work going so that if and when Charlie needs support, it will still be available.

I’m not a strong runner, and this will be the toughest thing I’ve ever done physically. But nothing compares to the mental challenge of losing my brother, dad, and husband. Running has become my space to grieve and feel like myself, and while I’ll need to be creative with training around our new family life, I’m determined to make it to the start line — and the finish — in their memory.

Please Support Us

If you can, please donate to help The Laura Centre continue their incredible work supporting bereaved children and families like mine. Every pound makes a difference.

Thank you so much for reading our story.

Let the training commence!