Heidi Coppard
My Story
I'm running the London Marathon 2026 as part of Team Starlight!
After going through hospital with my mum as an adult, I saw how much the experience doesn’t just affect the patient—it impacts the whole family. It’s a time filled with stress and uncertainty, but also moments of strength, hope, and togetherness.
That’s why I’m raising money to help make hospital stays more supportive—not only for patients but for their loved ones too. One part of this is helping hospitals gain better play facilities, creating spaces where children can just be children, even in the midst of treatment. These spaces bring light and laughter into otherwise difficult days and provide families with precious moments of joy and connection.
Every step I run is for families who deserve comfort, compassion, and a little bit of magic during incredibly tough times. If you’re able to donate or share this, it would mean so much.
Thank you for your support.
Heids x
The healing power of play
At first glance, it’s easy to think that play happens when the important stuff is taken care of. But for children, play is central to the way they learn and cope with new challenges.
That’s why Starlight are committed to making play matter so much, it becomes an intrinsic part of every child’s healthcare pathway. They want to create a world where it’s official policy that play is a prerequisite on every child’s medical treatment plan.
Starlight are there to help all decision-makers understand the importance of play, leading thinking on its potential for positive impact, with the science to back it up.
