My Story

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. On Sunday 26 April 2026 I will attempt to realise a dream by running the TCS London Marathon and at the same time raise money for Breakthrough T1D, the type 1 diabetes charity. This is really close to my heart because I've been living with Type 1 diabetes for 42 years. It became even more more personal when my now 13 year old son was also diagnosed almost 4 years ago.

The London Marathon has fascinated me since I was child. Watching it on TV. Typing out "press releases" on my grandparents' ancient clicky-clacky typewriter. I remember a family friend running it, the BBC cameras picking out a zooming in on his shiny, bald head. My middle school PE teacher bringing his medal to assembly. A friend's mum - one of the only female runners I knew as a child - later displaying her medal and finish picture on the wall of their staircase.

Then I moved to London. The route passed my flat and we'd sit on the verge with a picnic watching the elite runners streak past but then staying for hours to cheer on the charity runners in amazing costumes and the most impressive back-of-the-packers who would be out there giving it their all for hours (that will be me!). The route passed my place of work and Cutty Sark where I'd often sit to eat my lunch. Over Tower Bridge, which I crossed on my wedding day, just making it before it lifted (fortunately I wasn't late for my own wedding!)

I've wanted to run the London Marathon for all those years. It's the only marathon I want to run, and it's going to be a huge challenge for me. A challenge because I live with multiple chronic health conditions but also because, despite running regularly, I'm not a natural distance runner. I was a sprinter in my youth. I swtiched to longer distances as I got older, but illness and injury got in the way. So far, I've never run further than a half marathon, and for more than 10 years whilst I naviagted various life challenges, I barely ran at all. But I'm so excited to take on this huge bucket list challenge (it will definitely be one and done!)

For a long time, I thought type 1 diabetes might get in the way of realising my dream of running the London Marathon. But charities like Breakthrough T1D are helping to make living with the relentlessness of diabetes easier. Their research has led to new developments in diabetes technology and treatment and is laying the foundations for a cure. 

Every pound I can raise will help Breakthrough T1D work towards the next big breakthrough in type 1 treatment. So for me, for my son, and for everyone living with type 1 diabates, please consider giving what you can and know that your support really matters. 

Thank you!

Caroline