My Story

I am running in memory of my amazing Mum who was not only an incredible Mum, Nanna and Wife but she did so much for the local community working as a Childminder for 32 years! My Mum was so special to so many people; looking after babies and children, some from 6 weeks old to secondary school in addition to the specialist work that she did supporting families in collaboration with Social Services.

My Mum didn't speak much of her Kidney Disease and tried to live 'normally' but she had Chronic Polycystic Kidney Disease. She was diagnosed after further investigations following a routine blood pressure check at a GP appointment aged 27. My Mum was told that at some point in her life her kidneys would fail. This was obviously a huge shock as she was so fit and well.

2 weeks before our wedding, aged 60, her kidneys failed and she was prepared to start Dialysis in early 2011. I honestly thought I was losing my Mum at that point, she was so unwell with her Kidney Disease, she developed Pneumonia on New Year's Eve 2010 and I was preparing myself for the worst. We were due to fly out to Finland on the 9th Jan, and my Mum being the Trooper that she was, recovered enough to make it our wedding in Finnish Lapland- even after a severe reaction to her antibiotics causing her tongue and throat to swell. She amazed us all. A week of wedding celebrations, amazing chalet food, daily 4pm cake and lots of rest helped her recover!

After approx 18 months, my Mum was lucky enough to receive a Kidney Transplant in September 2012 for which we as a family will always be so thankful to Mr Bhattacharya and his Team at Nottingham City Hospital. Truly incredible, specialist medical care that gave my Mum 8 years of life and time to watch 3 of her Grandchildren grow. We are also so thankful to the family of the Kidney Donor. 

My Mum was an inspiration, she didn't let it stop her from doing anything, she frequently wowed us!

The nursing care of my Mum was some of the most proud and yet sad nursing care that I have ever undertaken. The Dialysis was very painful and uncomfortable, frequent woundcare, daily medications and injections.  Fluid retention (to the point where her clothes and shoes wouldn't fit), dehydration, nausea, vomiting if the fluid balance wasn't optimal and endless hospital appointments. She endured so much and that is why it is a privilege to run the TCS London Marathon 2026 for Kidney Care UK to help support patients and their families with Chronic Kidney Disease.

I am so proud of my Mum and how she dealt with her Chronic Kidney Disease. My training has been ongoing for a while now, I have experienced the blood and sweat (and the wasp stings)! No doubt the tears will come when I cross that finish line at the TCS London Marathon 2026.

Writing this feesl incredibly tough-in fact I have put off writing it because it makes me feel so emotional. I lost my Mum nearly 6 years ago and it still feels as raw as it did the day that she passed away.

I am determined to support Kidney Care UK and the work that they undertake for patients and their families. Anything to help other patients and families who face what we did.

Every penny helps, please support me to support patients and families living with Chronic Kidney Disease. Follow me on my running journey 96 days to go! x

Picture: My amazing Mum pictured bottom right at our wedding. Recovering from Pneumonia and diagnosed with Kidney Failure a few days earlier awaiting Dialysis.