My Story

I'm running the London Marathon for every survivor of trauma. Healing is a relentless journey, often filled with doubt. My run is a testament to resilience: it's about taking one step at a time - recognizing that every stride, every break, and every bit of support from the sidelines moves you towards your goal. I'm running to prove it to myself, and to every survivor out there: you can do this.

Why I'm asking for your support

I'm incredibly proud to be fundraising for Staying Put, which I joined the Board of in April. They are a beacon of hope in Bradford, providing critical domestic abuse and sexual violence services. Their unique approach helps survivors heal quicker by enabling them to "stay put" in their homes with their existing support networks. Last year, their One Front Door helpline handled over 18,500 enquiries with 99% positive feedback, and they supported over 2,000 individuals with dedicated advocates. Their vision is to live in a world free from abuse and violence, to be the change and inspire others to follow our example.

Staying Put’s mission is deeply personal to me. My family and I have lived experience of the very issues Staying Put tackles. I've personally seen how difficult life post trauma can be - dealing with what happened, unlearning maladaptive survival responses and slowly building back trust in myself and others as I've looked to build the skills and have the experiences I missed out on. Many domestic and sexual violence charities focus only on immediate safety - Staying Put provides the longer term wraparound support you need to not only survive, but thrive. 

My running journey

I’m no natural runner – my journey has been marked by failed attempts and personal setbacks. I’ve spent the last year recovering from two episodes of severe neurodivergent burnout as I’ve struggled to manage ADHD and autism diagnoses alongside life, recovery and personal development. I’ve spent weeks in bed, wondering if I’ll ever feel like myself again. I'm still navigating extreme fatigue, light-headedness and slow muscle recovery.

This marathon is about proving to myself what's possible, while raising crucial funds for a cause that means so much to me. I will cross that finish line - for myself, the brave survivors I know, and for every survivor Staying Put champions. 

Why your support matters

Domestic abuse is a hidden crisis, impacting 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men. With vital services facing severe financial pressure, Staying Put needs our help more than ever. Your donation can directly change lives:

• £12 - a month's worth of essential toiletries 
  
  
• £24 - a set of towels for someone starting over
  
  
• £50 - a mobile with emergency contacts and a personal safety alarm, to help someone fleeing abuse to stay safe
  
  
• £150 keeps separated families digitally connected for a year
  
  
• £200 buys 3 school uniforms or over a year’s worth of essential toiletries for a woman in refuge
  
  
• £500 provides a laptop and internet for a child victim – allowing connection with friends, family and professional support, as well as the ability to stay up-to-date with schoolwork – in short, the support to rebuild their life when they need it the most

Thank you for your support, it means the world to me.