I want the girls to see that something positive can come out of losing their dad

Mat and I were married for 16 years, together for 19. He was a huge family man and absolutely adored our two daughters, Freya and Saffy. He was never happier than when we were all together as a family. He was also really close to his siblings and parents. Mat was just a really nice guy. Everyone who met him really liked him. There were around 450 people at his funeral, which is testament to the kind of man he was.

We knew his lungs weren’t quite right but we didn’t know it was so serious

Mat died from pulmonary fibrosis, which is an illness I don’t think is well known or talked about. I think it’s really important to raise awareness, which is why I’m running the marathon for Asthma + Lung UK. He was only 53 when he died. We knew his lungs weren’t quite right but we didn’t think it was anything major, just that we needed to keep an eye on them. Then about a month before he died, his lungs got really bad and he was really struggling. We saw an amazing specialist who told us he had pulmonary fibrosis and that we would be looking at a lung transplant in the near future.

It was so sudden that we didn’t have chance to say goodbye

We were due to go on holiday with the girls and the doctor said that it was fine so we went. However, Mat sadly passed away on 15 August 2024 while we were on holiday. It was completely unexpected and we had no chance to say goodbye. I was with him when he died and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for, that I was there holding his hand. For the kids to lose their amazing dad at only 10 and 13 is horrendous, it doesn’t seem right. That shouldn’t be happening to other families.

I wanted to be a good role model for the girls – and to honour Mat’s memory

People asked why I was taking on the London Marathon when I have so much on. After the first few months after Mat passed away, I really wanted to think about how I was being a role model for the girls. And also how I was honouring Mat’s memory. I did a half marathon a few years ago and I thought well, I’ve probably got a full one in me so I decided to sign up for the London Marathon.

Taking on this challenge has been really good for all of us

I got a running coach and worked towards a half marathon in October and then I’ve been building it up from there. It’s been a lot of work but it’s been really nice to have the time to myself and lovely to have that time outside, even in winter. Even when it’s been hard, it’s been fun and I haven’t doubted or regretted any part of it at all. The structure – of knowing I’m going to get up and that I’m going to train - has been absolutely brilliant. Mentally I think it’s been really good for me and I hope it’s been good for the girls to see that we can make positive things out of this.

I’m determined to make it all the way to the finish line

There’s no doubt as to the importance of charities like Asthma + Lung UK. The work they do to support people living with lung conditions and their families and carers too. As well as funding research so we can understand what we can do to prevent or slow down lung disease.

My sponsorship is now at over £16,000 which is amazing and also slightly terrifying! I’m being super careful with my training so I can make sure I can make it all the way round to the finish line and say a huge thank you to everyone that’s supported me.