Esther Downes (Ess)
My Story
Supporting people to live the lives they choose
I am taking part in the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds for Help & Care. The charity I work for myself, I really am passionate about what they do. Help and Care are a charity of forty years standing; they empower individuals with physical and mental health conditions to live the most fulfilling lives possible. Everything they do is rooted in compassion, integrity and a fierce belief that everyone deserves to live life on their terms.
Please support me to raise funds for them to help them in their drive to cultivate hope, connection, and wellbeing. Here are just some of the things that Help and Care do:
- Support people experiencing challenges with their health or mental wellbeing
- Reduce isolation and help people build meaningful community connections
- Empower individuals to develop confidence, resilience, and independence
- Continue offering essential services that make a meaningful difference in local people’s lives
- Support people experiencing challenges with their health or mental wellbeing
- Reduce isolation and help people build meaningful community connections
- Empower individuals to develop confidence, resilience, and independence
- Continue offering essential services that make a meaningful difference in local people’s lives
This will be my first time at London and my 20th Marathon! I have ran 19 other marathons across trails, cities, and towns and for the past three years, I have been supporting London, watching friends and other Help and Care participants on course, and even completing London 'Backward Midnight Marathon'! I am delighted I am finally going to run this iconic marathon myself after years of ballot entry and many 'near' opportunities through the Good For Age.
