My Story

About us

The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress.

Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course – which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.

What’s more, these participants have raised over a billion pounds for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement throughout the event’s history – living up to its aim of helping participants ‘to have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world’.

Until September 2024, I had never heard of the Lincoln City Foundation and was unaware of the outstanding contributions it provides our local community. Now, the Foundation is such an important part of my life and I wouldn’t be without the support it provides me. Lincoln City Foundation will always hold a special place in my heart. It has brought out the best in me and has taught me what is truly important.

In July 2024, I was devastatingly given the news that I had Breast Cancer – Stage 3. It was an aggressive type but luckily (due to catching it early) I was told it was curable and, although the road ahead would be long, I would be ok. The news, nonetheless, was a huge blow to me. I am an extremely busy, active mum of two boys – both of whom are neurodivergent, a teaching assistant for year 6 pupils at a local primary school and wife of a member of the Royal Air Force. I enjoyed competing in walking and running events regularly, doing online weights/combat/dance workouts, socialising with friends and family, going on holidays etc and I was worried that my life was about to change forever for the worse and many of the things I enjoyed would either reduce or stop completely. I was also worried that my mental health would then suffer, as doing exercise was my main way of keeping a healthy mind. However, being the positive and determined person I am, I pushed these worries to one side and sought a way of moving forward, taking one day at a time, smiling and showing Cancer that it had chosen the wrong lady!

One morning, during my second chemotherapy session a leaflet was being handed out in Ingham Suite at Lincoln County Hospital. I noticed that this leaflet was advertising a fitness class specifically designed to support those affected by cancer. I was overjoyed to discover that such a class existed, as this would mean that I could continue to be active even on my weakest of days throughout my cancer journey, which would also support my mental wellbeing. After my chemo session, I contacted the provider advertised on this leaflet. This leaflet was, of course, advertising the Fighting Fit program run by Lincoln City Foundation. Phill Watson was my point of contact. He instantly made me feel welcome and reassured me that this class was definitely going to be a “good fit” for me and that I would gain a lot from participating. How right he has proven to be!  I attended my first session the day after my third chemotherapy session and even though I went not feeling my absolute best, I came away feeling energised, full of confidence, and having met the loveliest of people, whom I now have the pleasure of calling my friends. The rest is history!

I have now attended Fighting Fit sessions on a weekly basis (often twice a week!). Sometimes I don’t feel the best, but I go, knowing that there is no judgement, there are people there who understand what I am going through and that EVERY time I go, I come away happy and feeling better about myself. I benefit not only physically from the sessions but also mentally and I wouldn’t have had the cancer journey I have had without the support of this group. I owe so much to the Foundation and that’s why I want to give back and run the London Marathon on their behalf.

I am constantly telling people how brilliant the Foundation is and how they have supported me and others and I hope by running the London Marathon 2026 on behalf of the foundation, I bring more awareness of the work the Foundation does and the impact it has on its local residents. Making people feel better about themselves me happy and feel better about myself. I believe this ethos is shared by those who work and lead within the Foundation.

Lincoln City Foundation has made me feel invincible, even through my hardest time in life and it will be a privilege to run the London Marathon to represent this invincibility and give back to, quite simply, the most supportive organisation I could ever have wished to find.

Please support me through your words of encouragement along my marathon training journey and my donating to this very worthy and special cause.