My Story

I'm taking on the 2026 London Marathon for ZSL, to raise money to save endangered wildlife.

I have always loved animals; they tell us so much about us as humans. 

I took the picture in the heading: after sleeping in the Sumatran forest, we started a 3-hour trek along the river, bringing us back to Bukit Lawang. Many types of monkeys were keeping us company, some over our heads, among the tree tops, while others were looking at us at a distance. I saw this group of macaques from far away, and immediately felt the powerful bond between the mother and her baby, clinging to her, and the supportive presence of the other females. I have conducted clinical research in perinatal mental health for most of my academic career, especially in women with depression and their children, and this scene reminded me how atavistic and primordial mother-infant attachment is, and how easily it can be disrupted by stress and adversity. The contrast between light and darkness also reminded me of my favourite painter, Caravaggio.

This is my second marathon, after I successfully ran my first London Marathon in 2025. 

My dreams for my second marathon?

First, fundraising the target amount of £2,000.

Second, finishing it, safely.

Third, improving my previous PB (5 hours 11 minutes) to a sub-5-hour race.

Help me realise my dreams: your donations and you support will go a long way for all of them!