19 runners prepare to take on London Marathon

The London Marathon is the world’s biggest one-day fundraising event and since it started in 1981, the event has raised more than £1.4 billion for different charities.

Starting in Greenwich, runners will take on a route that passes London’s most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, the London Eye, and Big Ben, before finishing just past Buckingham Palace at The Mall.

Each one of our fantastic runners has chosen to take on this challenge for different reasons, but for many of them, Momentum is a charity close to their hearts.

Cat, from Hampton Hill, shares why she is running for Momentum: “I am running for my son, Charlie,1, who has SMA Type 1. Charlie’s diagnosis changed everything for our family, but we have also been met with extraordinary kindness along the way. One of the greatest sources of support has been from Momentum who have cared for our whole family – supporting my daughter Aggie through play therapy, checking in on me with regular phone calls, and giving us precious respite breaks that helped us feel like a family again, not just caregivers. Every mile will be run with hope for Charlie, for our family, and for the many families Momentum supports.”

Cat continued: “My personal goal was to get through the training injury free (touch wood, so far so good!) and the hours spent on long runs have been vital alone time to clear my head from the stress of disability parenting. Charlie’s sleep has been the most challenging part of marathon training. Because Charlie is on overnight ventilation and requires frequent repositioning, I often wake up utterly exhausted before a run. As soon as I remember why I am running and the awareness and funds we are raising, it gives me a boost to lace up my trainers and get out there. I am buzzing for marathon day!”

Theresa, from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, a paediatric nurse at Kingston Hospital, explains her reasons for running: “Momentum is a charity close to my heart as it supports the families I have had the privilege to look after and care for over the years I have worked as a nurse on Sunshine Ward.”

Touching on training for the event, Theresa said: “It has been a bit of a rollercoaster as I had an injury which left me deflated and frustrated, but I remembered why I am doing it, and for whom I am doing it! That has given me the strength to rest and look after my injury and now push forward to the start line!

A team of loud and proud Momentum volunteers will be there wearing bright green tabards as they cheer, shout and encourage every one of our runners through the finish line.

Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “I feel incredibly proud of every one of our 19 London Marathon runners and wish them the very best of luck as they enter these final weeks of training. Preparing for a marathon requires months of discipline and sacrifice, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone taking on this challenge for Momentum. Money raised through sponsoring our runners will help us to continue to support families of seriously ill children, so please dig deep and donate if you can.”

Please consider sponsoring our amazing London Marathon runners here:  Momentum Children’s Charity